OSAKA -- Suntory Ltd. said Friday that it has commissioned Castel Freres S.A. of France to produce its two major brands of wine beginning in September.
Japan's top wine producer hopes to boost both the quality and profile of its wines by switching its production to Europe, which is widely regarded as the heart of the global wine industry, company officials said.
Domestic wine producers are fighting an uphill battle with imported wines, which are gaining popularity thanks to their high quality and relatively low prices.