How is matcha comparable to wine?

While wine is a true national symbol in France, matcha is at the heart of the Japanese tea ceremony, a ritual elevated to the status of a true art form in Japan.

Two exceptional products that are quite different, but which actually have a lot in common.

So why can they sometimes be compared? Let us explain!

Cultivars for wine, cultivars for matcha

To describe a wine and give an overview of its aromatic profile, it is very common to refer to its cultivar or cultivars.

What is a cultivar?

A cultivar is a group of similar plants derived from the same seed. It is a cultivar of vine with a specific genome, giving it a specific and recognizable shape, colour, and aromatic profile. Today, there are approximately 6,000 cultivars.

Wine merchants typically stock bottles made from Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Aligoté cultivars, for example.

What is a cultivar?

Similarly, there is an equivalent to grape cultivar for tea, particularly matcha tea: the cultivar. A cultivar is a group of tea plants "cloned" by cuttings, i.e., obtained by taking a branch from a parent tea plant. This method produces identical tea plants with a specific aromatic profile and a uniform harvest.

In commerce, it is common for average matcha to be realised from a blend, and it is impossible to trace the original cultivar. However, the most prestigious matcha can be realised from a single cultivar, known as single-cultivar.

Among the most popular cultivars for producing green tea are, for example:

• the Yabukita cultivar, the most popular in Japan
• the Saemidori cultivar
• the Okumidori cultivar
• the Samidori cultivar

Matcha can also be vintage, but unlike wine, it loses its freshness over time, so it is rare to find matcha that is more than two years old for sale.

Wine and matcha are classified by grade.

Another interesting point of comparison: wine and matcha are both classified according to a grading system.

For wine, there are four grades: appellation contrôlée (AOC), appellation d'origine wine of superior quality (AOVDQS), vin de pays, and vin de table.

There are five main grades of matcha:

• grade A, or culinary grade, often found in supermarkets
• AA grade, or "Blending" or "coffee" grade
• AAA grade, or "premium grade"
• AAAA grade, or ceremonial grade
• AAAAA grade, or "Prestige" or "Ultra-premium" grade

If we closely compare a selection of teas of different grades, we can see a big difference in the quality of the powder, both in terms of colour and fineness.

However, unlike wine appellations, which are strictly regulated in France, the appellation "ceremonial grade matcha" is not regulated for export. This is why we prefer not to offer it, as we believe that it does not provide relevant information to help consumers make their choice when purchasing matcha.

Sommellerie exists for wine... as well as tea.

You have probably heard of wine sommelier, a quintessentially French art.

A wine sommelier is a highly skilled specialist who can recognise the cultivar, vintage, or origin of a particular wine and realise a harmonious pairing with food. These professionals often work in large hotels and high-end restaurants, with the aim of ensuring a successful dining experience for their customers.

But in recent years, we have gradually discovered that tea is just as interesting to pair with food, like a sober little brother to wine. This is why tea sommeliering, driven by enthusiasts, is growing more and more and aims to become more professional. Like a wine sommelier, a tea sommelier is able to distinguish between different types of tea, describe the aromatic profile of a tea, and pair it with a menu.

Tea, and matcha in particular, is becoming increasingly popular in cooking and pastries for all its health benefits.

There's no doubt about it, these two drinks open up a whole world of creativity!

>>> Find advice from a tea sommelier on our matcha teas by clicking here