If your company is considering importing Japanese alcoholic beverages, Zelico—with its extensive export experience—is here to support you.
In this article, we introduce our available product lineup as well as our track record of doing business with partners in various countries.

Click here to consult about importing to your country.

Is Sake Wine? Let’s Start with the Conclusion

First, let’s address the basic question:
Is sake the same as wine?

Sake Is Classified as a Brewed Alcoholic Beverage—Not Wine

In conclusion, sake is not technically wine.
Unlike wine, which is made by fermenting fruit, sake is produced from rice using koji mold in a brewing process. Because the ingredients and production methods differ, sake is strictly categorized as a brewed alcoholic beverage rather than wine.

That said, overseas it is often referred to as “Japanese rice wine” for ease of explanation. This term has become widely used because it helps consumers quickly understand the product category. As a result, online searches frequently include terms such as:

・sake japanese wine
・rice wine japan
・sake wine

Some readers may have arrived at this article after searching for sake and wine interchangeably.

Rest assured—Zelico can support the export of both sake and Japanese wine.
If you are looking for either category, please feel free to contact us for consultation.

Examples of Japanese Sake & Wine Products

The alcoholic beverages introduced below represent only a small portion of our lineup.
If you are looking for a specific product or brand, please feel free to contact us.

Representative Japanese Sake – Daiginjo

Daiginjo is a premium sake made with rice polished to 50% or less, brewed slowly and carefully at low temperatures.
It is known for its elegant, fruity aroma and refined, clean taste.

Product Name: Daiginjo Ran Sake 720ml Alc.16%
JAN Code: 4902856610203
Brand: MORITA
Product details can be found here.

Junmai Sake (No Added Brewing Alcohol)

Junmai sake is made using only three ingredients: rice, koji mold, and water.
It is characterized by a rich body, strong aroma, and full flavor profile.
Highly recommended for Japanese restaurants overseas.

Product Name: Kuromatsu Senjyo Tokubetsu Junmai-shu 300ml Sakura Label Alc.16%
JAN Code: 4973808103234
Brand: SENJYO
Product details can be found here.

A Wide Selection of Japanese Wines

In Japan, winemaking is especially active in grape-growing regions such as Yamanashi.
If you are looking to source Japanese wine, Zelico is ready to assist you.

Product Name: Shanmori Koshu Late Picked Ripe Sweet Rose 720ml Alc.11%
JAN Code: 4524919310143
Brand: Morita Koshu Winery
Product details can be found here.

Umeshu (Plum Wine) – Popular Among Female Consumers

Zelico offers a wide variety of umeshu, including sparkling plum wine, zero-sugar plum wine, black tea plum wine, pomegranate plum wine, rose plum wine, jasmine plum wine, lavender plum wine, and more.

Product Example:
Product Name:Kunizakari Chita Plum Sparkling Wine 270ml
JAN Code: 4978526004672
Brand: NAKANO SAKE BREWERY
Product details can be found here.

Strong Gift Lineup

We also offer a wide range of gift-ready alcoholic beverages.

This product features edible flower petals that remain beautifully suspended in the bottle without sinking, creating an elegant and visually striking gift option.

Product Name:Sakura-Mau Gold Peach flavor Liqueur 300ml Alc.9% with Gift Box
JAN Code: 4538333800364
Brand: HOKOEN
Product details can be found here.

For more gift-focused products, please also visit our blog:
【Gift Options Included】For Companies Considering Premium Japanese Sake Imports

Consult With Us About Japanese Alcohol Today →

Documentation & OEM Support Available

Especially from first-time clients, we often hear concerns such as:
・“We’re not sure where to start.”
・“Negotiating separately with each manufacturer is difficult.”

At Zelico, we provide comprehensive import support for overseas B2B partners, including:
・Consolidated proposals across multiple brands and product categories
・Product selection consultation tailored for test market launches
・Practical support for export procedures, documentation, and logistics
・OEM proposals and ongoing project support

We are committed to making the import process smooth and efficient for our partners worldwide.

Import Process Overview

If you’re interested in working with Zelico, we recommend starting by consulting with us about whether importing our products into your country is possible and whether any import regulations may apply.

Import Process Overview
Once you contact us through the inquiry form, our multilingual specialists will get back to you.
After we confirm your desired products and schedule, we will arrange the necessary documents, containers, and logistics.
Once payment is received, we will proceed with shipping your order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which countries do you export to?
A: After addressing import regulations and other requirements, we can generally support exports to most countries.

Q: What beverages are available through Zelico?
A: Our lineup includes wine, Japanese sake, gin, whisky, shochu, and liqueurs, along with a broad selection of non-alcoholic beverages and juices.

Q: Is it possible to request product samples?
A: Yes, sample requests are available. Please contact us for details regarding the products and export methods.

Q: Do you offer OEM services?
A: Yes, we do. We have extensive experience working with many companies on OEM projects.

Q: Can you provide information on ingredients and origin?
A: We will share the relevant information for the selected products. Please contact us for further details.

Q: Can you submit documents specified by our company?
A: We have handled many such requests in the past and can generally accommodate them.

Q: Do you have FDA registration or compliance?
A: We handle a wide range of FDA-compliant products.

Zelico remains committed to delivering premium Japanese products to customers worldwide.
While this article focused on rice crackers, we also welcome inquiries about other products, pricing, and bulk purchasing.

Zelico will continue to provide high-quality Japanese products to customers around the world.

In this article, we introduced Japanese wine and sake, but we also welcome inquiries about other products, pricing, and bulk purchasing.

For more detailed information about Japanese food products, please visit our blog.