Subscribe Buzzing brews: Japan’s VinVie sees large untapped potential in local cider market due to demand for lower-alcohol options By Pearly Neo Homegrown Japanese alcohol firm Vinvie believes that there is major untapped potential to be found in the ‘niche’ local cider market as consumers are increasingly on the lookout for lighter, lower-alcohol options. VinVie operates its own orchards and vineyards in Japan’s Nagano prefecture, about 3.5 hours away from Tokyo by car, growing a large variety of Japanese table apples, cider apples, pears and grapes to make its wines and ciders. According to the firm’s Director of Wine and Cider Making and Grape Cultivation Tsuyoshi Takemura, there are few companies in Japan that make cider as the industry is currently very niche.