The Japan Wine Competition Executive Committee will hold the "Japan Wine Competition (Nihon Wine Competition) 2026," targeting "Japanese wine" made in Japan using 100% domestic grapes. This competition is held with the aim of improving the quality and recognition of Japanese wine, as well as enhancing its individuality and status. This year marks the 22nd iteration. This year, a total of 886 entries were received from 158 wineries in 35 prefectures nationwide (previous year: 153 wineries, 860 entries). A new category, "Orange Wine Division," has been established this year, focusing on production methods. Furthermore, foreign judges will be invited, continuing from the previous year, to provide an international perspective on the evaluation. We kindly request your cooperation in covering the judging session and disseminating the individuality and appeal of Japanese wine and domestic wineries. In recent years, Japanese wine has achieved remarkable evolution in both quality and individuality, increasing its presence on the world stage. To provide an opportunity to convey the passion of the producers who have repeatedly experimented while embracing the land's unique characteristics and confronting the climate, seminars and winery exchange events will be held later, featuring tastings of award-winning wines. * Japan Wine Competition Executive Committee: (Members) Japan Wineries Association, Japan Sommelier Association Inc., Japan Association of Viticultural and Enological Sciences, Hokkaido Wine Council, Yamagata Prefecture Wine & Spirits Makers Association, Nagano Wine Association, Yamanashi Wine Manufacturers Association, University of Yamanashi Center for Research of Wine Science, Yamanashi Prefecture ■ Judging Session Overview Date and Time of Judging Session July 8, Reiwa 8 (Wed) 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Judges' Meeting 9:45 AM - 6:00 PM Judging July 9 (Thu) 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Judging Venue Aimesse Yamanashi (2192-8 Otsu-cho, Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture) ■ Media Coverag