Nov 19 (Kyodo) - This year's Beaujolais Nouveau went on sale in Japan on Thursday with a more demure reception amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Companies have latched onto consumers' cravings for high-end items as they stay at home to avoid infections, and internet orders for the young French wine surged.
The vintage from the Beaujolais region was sent to Japan earlier than usual, given slower transportation due to the reduction in the number of flights between France and Japan, Mercian Corp., a unit of beer maker Kirin Holdings Co., said.
The volume of imports has continued a downward trend since 2013. Mercian said it lined up products with more focus on health-conscious consumers.
