Drops of God
A comic is rather remarkably responsible for the increasing sales of certain wines in Asia
“The aroma is like a rock concert, with notes of butterflies dancing over a pond and an aftertaste of Jesus Christ and his disciples.” I know I can sometimes go a bit overboard with wine reviews, but this is a quote from ‘Kami no Shizuku’, which translates as The Drops of God and is the name of a manga comic that has taken Japan by storm and is conquering Korea and China, boosting European wine sales along the way.
What prompts me to write about this Japanese comic is an email from Xenophon of Cava Protasis. He was indeed proud that the famous Mondavi and Frescobaldi wine Luce was featured in this manga. But what has a comic to do with wines?
It is written by a brother-and-sister duo of wine enthusiasts, combining mystery plots with a playful introduction to European wines. Think The Da Vinci Code set in a Tokyo bar.
The main character of the manga, a young man called Shizuku Kanzaki, discovers the beauty of wine after his father, a famous wine critic, dies and leaves an unusual will: a description of 12 wines he considers to be the best in the world, comparing them to Jesus’ disciples. The first person to find these disciples will inherit the father’s wine collection, a contest that pits Shizuku against his adoptive brother, Issey Tomine, who works as a sommelier.
Their quest to find the Drops of God is illustrated by manga graphics visualising the heavenly wines. A dark forest with a pond and the aforementioned butterflies depicts the taste of one disciple. Shizuku’s first sip of Chateau Mont Peran, on the other hand, triggers a vision of blurred faces, guitar-strumming musicians and raving fans.
“I know what you mean – it’s like Queen!!” Shizuku’s barman friend exclaims, referring to Freddy Mercury’s rock band. They go on to compare the wine’s acidity to Mercury’s voice, wrapped in the thick sound of guitars and drums.
Yuko Kibayashi, who produces the manga with her brother Shin, says the idea of the series came to them when they tasted Burgundy wine that impressed them so much they became wine aficionados. They feature wines based on their own research, including trips abroad and tastings.
Soon the Drops of God will be published in French, possibly followed by Italian. The original book series is expected to continue for another five years or so, and there is talk of a film. Sales of any wine mentioned in the manga (including Chateau Mont Perat, Luce, Colli di Conegliano Rosso, Contrada di Concenigo) are soaring all over Asia. Starting a comic is not such a bad idea after all.
Wines of the week
Mountrihas vineyards are located in the Mytikas valley on the island of Evia, known as Avantis in ancient times, and in Beotia, Central Greece. As a winemaking region, Beotia is known for indigenous varietals such as Roditis and Malagouzia, and for the Rhône varieties such as Syrah, Petite Syrah and Grenache.
2007 Avantis Drios, Malagousia, Avantis Estate, Mitikas, Evia, abv 13%
This is the only Greek wine in the Guinness Book of Records, and 1,500 handmade labels are used to promote it. Prepared by Spyros Mountrihas, the wine comes from an ancient Greek variety, Malagousia, and spends four months in French oak sur lie (on their lees to give wine extra body and complexity) and battonage. There is a good measure of yellow colour; the aroma of dried tropical fruits intertwines with white lemon blossoms and vanilla. Balanced yet rich mouth, some fatty fullness, intense yellow fruit aroma, herby with some peach notes; on the finish there is honeysuckle and vanilla. Great summer wine enjoyed with charcoal grilled red snapper, fresh tuna steak, pan-seared rare with butter and lemon, or just about any seafood. €16.23
2007 Mountrihas Vineyards, Petite Syrah, Mitikas, Beotia, abv 13.5%
The elegance of Petite Syrah is captured in this medium to full-bodied red wine. Dark with a purple rim, it has a complex nose of plums, chocolate and coffee. It has excellent balance and a first-class structure with a long, consistent finish, not to mention the rich flavours and aromas of cassis, pepper, vanilla and raspberry. It would be difficult not to rate this among the one or two leading examples of Rhone varietal production in Greece. Excellent with crostini, green olives and goat cheese or any meatloaf with hearty sauces baked or barbecued. €18.79
