Agriculture, Forestry, Fishery and Livestock, Food

## Life Sciences

# Development of Kagawa University's Original Wine

Indigenous resource utilization, Regional branding, Product development in partnership with related regional organizations

Rysuke Mochioka, Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University

Organizations Involved

○ Shigeki Ohyama, President, Sanukiwine Co., Ltd. (joint investment of private and public organizations) and Sanuki City

○ Kenji Shiozaki, President, Techno Network Shikoku Co., Ltd.

## 【Abstract】

Kagawa University has worked to develop and exploit new garden crops by using indigenous resources including wild grapes in Japan. As a part of these efforts, Prof. Ryosuke Mochioka, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University, developed the school's own farm exclusive grape cultivar, "Kadaino R-1", from which they created a wine through collaboration with agricultural research and extension centers, producers, and Sanukiwine Co., Ltd. in Kagawa prefecture. Based on this success, the university cooperated with the related regional organizations for the stable cultivation of the grapes and wine production, which proved fruitful in the successful marketing of the wine.

## 【Summary of the technology transfer】Technological Impact

In Kagawa Prefecture, under the Seto Island Sea climate, the heat in summer (especially high temperatures at night) often impairs fruit skin coloration, which results in a lesser quality of fruit, so reddening of black grapes due to premature ripening has presented a problem in the region since a long time ago. They took only responsive measures to counter this coloring problem, including moving up the cultivation period by using greenhouses to prevent the coloring process from occurring in the hot season. For a more fundamental solution, the university crossed vitis ficifolia var. ganebu, wild grapes indigenous to Okinawa whose skin develops an excellent color even in hot weather, and "Muscat of Alexandria" known for its high quality, to develop the new "Kadaino R-1" cultivar, wine grapes that yield excellent color. It is characterized by high contents of anthocyanins and polyphenols. It resists heat very well, so its anthocyanin levels are not compromised by the hot summer of the Seto Island Sea.

## Market Impact

With an extremely high content of anthocyanins, the wine produced from this cultivar strongly reflects the characteristics of grape cultivars. It contains double to triple the amount of anthocyanins and about double the amount of polyphenols compared to other wines made from the leading red wine grapes of “Cabernet Sauvignon” and “Muscat Bailey A.” It, therefore, has a strong rich color, but the taste is mellow and less astringent, which makes it suitable to enjoy it as new wine (nouveau).

## Project Background

We worked to market the product made from the original grape cultivar that was designed for a regional brand wine, in collaboration with related organizations including agricultural research and extension centers, producers, and companies in Kagawa Prefecture.

## Funding History

2004-2005 Kagawa University Research Projects

## I ntellectual property protection

○ Cultivar registration of grapes “Kadaino R-1”...Applied in Aug. 2003 and registered in Feb. 2006

○ Trademark registration (Sauvageonne Savoureuse)...Applied in Nov. 2004 and registered in Jun. 2005

## New cultivar “Kadiano R-1”

Crossed vitis ficifolia var. ganebu, wild grapes indigenous to Okinawa, with "Muscat of Alexandria" known for its high quality.

## Turning point in the Project

The wine was successfully marketed through the devotion of not only those who developed the grapes but also all of those who cooperated in this project.