William - The Japan Times

Today's print edition

Subscribe for more access

Meta

William

For William's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

LIFE / Food & Drink / VINELAND

Nov 17, 2002

A guide in wine is a friend indeed

It's a story we've heard dozens of times before, in slightly varying versions. An acquaintance who does much corporate entertaining decided to treat a few office-mates to a late meal in Daikanyama. After an under-10,000 yen bottle of red, the sommelier suggested that they might like an unlisted Shafer Cabernet, which they enjoyed so much that they had a second. The pleasure quickly dissipated, however, when he received the bill and found that the Shafer had cost him 45,000 yen. Per bottle.

LIFE / Food & Drink / VINELAND

Nov 3, 2002

How a winery's rep can become tainted

One of the hottest stories sweeping the California wine industry focuses on "sick cellar syndrome," a subject of dread to all winemakers. Wine Spectator magazine recently revealed that Napa Valley stalwart Beaulieu Vineyard suffers from a systemic taint problem, which could lead to musty, moldy flavors in as many as several hundred thousand cases of their flagship Napa wines.

LIFE / Food & Drink / VINELAND

Oct 20, 2002

Leeuwin Estate delivers a perfect hat trick

Wine lovers in Japan may have noticed the recent appearance of several new labels from Australia's Leeuwin Estate. Collectors have long coveted Leeuwin's Art Series wines. But these collectible, top-tier Leeuwin wines require cellar-aging to realize their potential and they bear a stiff cost commensurate with their scarcity. As a result, budget-conscious wine fans are likely to welcome the arrival of Leeuwin's more affordable Prelude Vineyard series of wines, as well as the launch of their new Siblings label.

Japan Times

LIFE / Food & Drink / VINELAND

Oct 6, 2002

Take time for a journey of the senses

Imagine a break in the day where the hustle and bustle of life is put aside, and your total attention is given over to the senses and the discovery of new wines and unexpected, heartening bargains. Tasting and evaluating wine is a challenge, one that requires endurance, focus and discipline, but it can bring benefits and pleasure.

Japan Times

LIFE / Food & Drink / VINELAND

Sep 22, 2002

Recession? What recession?

For many, the mere thought of Champagne is enough to make the pulse race and the tongue tingle. Josephine de Beauharnais, the wife of Napoleon and Empress of France 1796-99, once remarked that "making love without a bottle of Champagne alongside my bed is merely silly." For those looking to indulge in a flute or two of bubbly outside the realm of the boudoir, we have three new Tokyo Champagne bars to recommend.

Japan Times

LIFE / Food & Drink / VINELAND

Sep 8, 2002

A rose by any other name

One of life's great pleasures is drinking a wine that is exactly right for that particular moment. As summer slowly winds to a close, many of us are in pursuit of one last weekend picnic or open-air meal on the balcony. Chilled soups, chicken, pasta and salads are naturals, but what to drink? Although out of fashion, rose can be an excellent match, and, if well chosen, can be sublime.

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.

The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER

international-reports