Clear, Crisp Sips: White Wine and Sake Gain Popularity in Korea
Creatrip Team
6 months ago
Korean consumers are shifting toward lighter, clearer alcoholic drinks—white wine and Japanese sake—even as overall alcohol consumption declines. Last year white wine imports rose about 24% by weight (1,6408t) and import value grew ~12.6%, while red wine imports fell. Lighter acidity and lower tannins make white wines pair well with spicy, salty Korean dishes; convenience stores and retailers are expanding affordable white wine offerings, boosting sales. Japanese sake imports also reached record highs (5,417t, +11.8% by volume; $2.78M, +21.2%), recovering after the 2019 “No Japan” boycott and aided by yen weakness (엔저) that improved price competitiveness. Sake is being promoted for pairing with Korean food, and demand for small drinking vessels (soju/sake cups) and wine accessories has jumped. Experts link these trends to younger consumers’ taste for new, lighter options and increased Japan travel. (페어링: food-and-drink pairing)
