People in France have enjoyed sampling wines from Japan at a tasting event in Burgundy.

Fifty wineries from Japanese prefectures, including Yamanashi, Nagano and Hokkaido, promoted their products in the world-renowned wine region on Sunday.

About 140 wines made from grape varieties grown in Japan were offered to visitors. The number nearly doubled from the first tasting event in 2023.

A chef at a local restaurant said he was amazed by the exquisite aromas of Japanese white wine. He added that it will go well with seafood dishes.

Officials say Japanese wines are mainly exported to Asia and are increasingly being served at restaurants in Europe, helped by the growing popularity of Japanese food.

A man from a winery in Nagano Prefecture said he is glad his wines were well-received. He said he thinks Japanese wines are produced with consideration to ensure the flavors pair with various types of food, and this is something new to French people.

The event organizer, Iwasaki Genki, expressed hope that Japanese wines will be savored and highly rated by many people in Burgundy, the home of wine, so they will become more popular everywhere.