Takara Umeshu (Plum Wine) 750ml 10％

A.What is umeshu? It is a traditional Japanese plum liqueur, and in English it is usually called plum wine, so the two terms are often used to refer to the same drink. Umeshu is made by steeping ume, a Japanese fruit often described as a plum or apricot, with sugar and a base alcohol, which gives a sweet, fruity flavour with a mild tartness. This Takara plum wine is a good introduction: it is rich and sweet, with a Japanese plum and apricot aroma and a gentle tartness. This particular Japanese plum wine uses an Italian white wine as its base, which makes it smooth and easy to drink at a moderate strength. It is an approachable, easy-drinking style, so it suits anyone trying plum wine for the first time or wanting a reliable everyday option. Serve it well chilled. It contains sulphites, and it is an alcoholic drink for adults only, so please drink responsibly. Store it in a cool, dry place. Check the label for full details, and note the alcohol strength before buying, especially if you are new to this kind of drink.

A.Serve it chilled or over ice, or mix it into a longer drink. The simplest way to drink umeshu is to serve it well chilled or on the rocks, which lets you taste its plum and apricot flavour. For a lighter way to drink plum wine, the popular option is to top it up with soda water (umeshu soda) or tonic over ice, which balances the sweetness. It also works as the base for an umeshu cocktail: try it with sparkling wine, in a spritz, or mixed with green tea. As a sweeter style, it suits an after-dinner drink, and it can be drizzled over vanilla ice cream as a simple dessert. Serve it chilled for the best flavour, and use a large ice cube if you want to keep the drink from diluting too quickly. It is an alcoholic drink for adults only, so please drink responsibly, and it contains sulphites. Store it in a cool, dry place, and once opened keep it sealed and chilled. There is no single correct way to serve it, so choose what suits the occasion and your taste.

A.It is 10% ABV and yes, it is sweet. In terms of umeshu alcohol content, this Takara bottle is 10% ABV, which is lighter than spirits and closer to many table wines, so it is approachable and not overpowering. That plum wine alcohol content of 10% is fairly typical for a ready-to-drink, wine-based umeshu. In terms of flavour, the answer to “is plum wine sweet?” is yes: this umeshu is rich and sweet, with a Japanese plum and apricot aroma and a mild tartness that keeps it from feeling heavy. That balance of sweetness and gentle acidity is what makes umeshu easy to enjoy, on its own or in a longer drink. Serving it well chilled or over ice keeps it refreshing, and a splash of soda lightens it further if you prefer. It contains sulphites and is an alcoholic drink for adults only, so please drink responsibly. Store it in a cool, dry place, and keep it sealed once opened. Check the label for full details. If you prefer a less sweet drink, dilute it with soda or tonic to taste.