Mary O’Callaghan, President of the Irish Guild of Sommeliers is one of our  “first-hour” jury members.   She has been member of iTQi’s Superior Taste Award jury since the beginning and makes sure to have no other obligations during the three days in May where the drink tests take place.

These obligations include sometimes   very important functions, like State banquets where she is in the company of Heads of State as depicted on the website of the Irish Guild of Sommeliers.

However, at the International Taste & Quality Institute, she joins fellow colleagues from 13 European  countries for a serious work of tasting drinks and beverages coming from all over the world:   some very well known like waters or teas, some unusual ones like soft drinks based on milk or unknown drinks coming from far away countries and which need a specific preparation.

Good show Mary, and thank you for your professionalism during our tasting sessions.

Matteo Ghiringhelli, best Sommelier of Italy, third of the European Championship, is dreaming of a world title.   He is since 3 years one of  the the panel members of the  drink jury at iTQi.

read article on him published in Le Figaro Magazine of 16 april 2011 (only in French)

世界的にはまだ十分に知られているとは言えませんが、水に関する歴史的、文化的背景の豊潤さにおいて日本は世界有数といえます。国土の3分の2を占める森林により雨や雪がゆったりと自然涵養され、それぞれに特徴をもつ四季の中、誰もが日本中で無数の素晴らしい天然水を見ることができます。


名水百選


日本の名水環境の維持促進を図るため、1985年、当時の環境庁により国内の多数の水源スポットから100の名水が「名水百選」として認定されました。選定基準は水質のみならず、歴史背景や周辺住民の水源保護への取り組み方なども評価の対象となりました。2008年、環境省は新たに100の名水を選定し、「平成の名水百選」として発表しました。


100以上のミネラルウォーター・ブランド – 湧水から海洋深層水まで
日本国内には100以上のミネラルウォーター*商品ブランドが存在し、それらの原水種類は湧水、井戸水、鉱泉水、鉱水、温泉水、海洋深層水など幅広いものがあります。欧州の水などと比較した一般的な日本のミネラルウォーターの特徴に軟水でTDSが低いことが挙げられます。地域の地質的多様性があるものの、急峻な地形構造などにより浸透した雨や雪が地下に留まる期間は比較的短く、地層自体もカルシウムのもとである石灰質より火山岩質がより顕著です。

　
このような特長のある日本の天然水の味覚は国際的にみて独特です。ソフトで純粋、センシティブで優しいその味わいは、上質な和食に欠かせず、また白ワインやスパークリングワインとも素晴らしいハーモニーを醸します。一例として、新潟県魚沼地方の円水という水ブランドはヨーロッパの愛好家達に高く評価され、クイーン・エリザベス号やクイーン・メリー号で提供されるべく運航会社のキュナード･クルーズ社にも採用されています。
（*諸外国でいうボトルドウォーターを指します）


温泉水の効用 –　スキンケアから抗酸化まで
独自の火山性構造により、日本の地下水には優に三千箇所を越える「温泉」という恵みも与えられました。日本における温泉文化は入浴が中心で、源泉の多くが美肌によいとされますが、中には療養目的で飲用される温泉も多数存在します。また、九州地方などでは還元作用を持つという高アルカリ性の温泉水があり、それらの中ではボトリングされ販売されているものもあります。
20世紀初頭の明治時代、日本でも数多くの温泉水が薬学的に分析され、医薬品としても販売されていました。戦後は天然温泉水を医薬品として分類することはなくなりましたが、優れた泉質をもつ温泉には、療養目的で今でも多くの温泉客が訪れます。


グローバルウォーター社
株式会社グローバルウォーターは日本を拠点に、世界の水の流通およびコンサルティング業務を行っています。主に海外の法人客向けに、グローバルウォーター社は選りすぐった日本の水の輸出も行っています。


コンタクト情報:
株式会社グローバルウォーター　担当：堀内, tel: 81-(0)3-3827-3011 fax:81-(0)3-3827-3061


e-mail: t.horiuchi@mizuhiroba.jp


国外から日本の水を少量でオーダーする場合：
http://www.mizuhiroba.jp/en/index2.html, http://search.borderless.rakuten.com/borderless/search.action?sid=mizuhiroba&l=en

It is a relatively unknown fact that Japan as a very rich nature, and a deep culture when it comes to Natural water. The country is fortunate to be rich with abundant sources of remarkable mineral and spring waters, naturally produced in outstanding environmental settings, such as forests (covering two thirds of the country’s entire land space) and sufficient rain and snow fall, distributed in four clearly distinctive seasons.


100 Remarkable Waters
In 1995, for the purpose of raising public awareness about natural water and nature conservation, the Japanese ministry of environment selected 100 water sources throughout the country and certified them. The selection criteria were not only limited to the water’s fine qualities and the preservation of the surrounding environment, but also on the historical and cultural background behind the sources. In 2008, the Ministry set out to find a new set of “100 Remarkable Waters”, and added another 100 water sources with waters of outstanding quality and/or distinct character.


Over one hundred bottled brands – From Natural Spring to Deep Sea
Not surprisingly, there are well over one hundred bottled water brands in Japan, their types ranging from natural mineral water, to deep sea waters. The Most popular of those catogories is the natural, mineral waters.. It should be noted, at the same time, that Japanese version of natural mineral water tend to be lower in TDS (Total Disolved Solids) than their european counterparts.


Despite a number of geochemical variations, many natural water circulation systems in Japan are typically “rapid”. Rain and snow fallen on steep mountains gush out after a relatively short life underground (i.e. less than 100 years).


As far as their taste is concerned, this peculiar system produces rather soft, pure and gentle waters which are low in minerals and match well with sensitive cuisines (including sushi and other Japanese specialties). white wines, sparkling wines and Sake. As an example of the refinement of Japanese table waters, Ensui, a brand from the Rice Uonuma region, in the Niigata prefecture, has been so highly received by European connoisseurs, that it was selected by many gastronomy professionals and is now served on board all Cunard Cruises (the operator of theQueen Elisabeth and the Queen Mary).


Hot Spring Waters – From Skin Treatement to Deoxidization
Japan’s volcanic geologic characteristics highlight another aspect of the country’s natural water: its more than three thousand natural hot spring sources. Most hot spring waters in Japan are dedicated to bathing purposes; many are also drunk for wellness or for their taste. Several hot spring waters in Kyushu (which are said to have certain de-oxidization effects due partially to their high pH degree) are bottled for commercial sale.


During the Meiji era (early 20th century), hot spring waters in Japan were attributed a number of medical characteristics. Many hot spring waters were scientifically analyzed and some were defined as medicines. The Post World War II era saw the abolishment of the medical classification of natural spring waters due to the advent of new, and different standards of health administration policies which did not allow spring waters to be labeled as medical products. Today, true hot spring lovers still know how to enjoy (both drink and bathe) good, hot spring waters, as this exceptional product remains deeply anchored in the Japanese culture.


Global Waters K.K.
Based in Japan, Global Waters K.K. is a water specialist distributor and consultant.
Global Waters exports Japanese water products to mainly business clients, but individual customers overseas can also order various products on-line including Japanese Mineral/Spring Waters and Japanese Natural Hot Spring Waters.


Takuya Horiuchi, Global Waters K.K. , tel: 81-(0)3-3827-3011 fax:81-(0)3-3827-3061
e-mail: t.horiuchi@mizuhiroba.jp
Individual customers can make enquiries or orders at either platform below.
http://www.mizuhiroba.jp/en/index2.html, http://search.borderless.rakuten.com/borderless/search.action?sid=mizuhiroba&l=en