Wine TV : Kami-no-Shizuku (Japanese drama) 2009

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I got to be aware of this Wine-intense Japanese drama called Kami no Shizuku (translated as "The Drops of the Gods") sometime last year when it was launched but I managed to watch a couple of episodes only this weekend. It was adapted from a Manga comic, except it had a more fancy name "Les Gouttes de Dieu".

The story revolves around Kanzuki Shizuku, a young man who was estranged from his father, a world-famous wine critic. When his father passed away, he left behind a wine collection worth 2 Billion Yen, but in order to inherit it, Shizuku must solve a series of tests left by his father to identify 6 wines. His competitor is Tomine Issei, a prominent wine critic, whom his father adopted before his death.

Overall, it is an entertaining drama for wine buffs, with lots of references to the 1st Growths, Burgundy wine, and in general very much French focused. (Which is also why the Japanese have a penchant for LV, Hermes, Longchamp etc..) The actors and actresses in the drama are also a draw for non-wine lovers as eye-candy. However, some of the antics in the show were over the top, especially decanting of the wine like pouring teh-tarik.