On the night of Tsukimi, sitting on the engawa and gazing at the moon with a quiet glass in hand — this is a moment I, Federico, look forward to every year. Japan's 2026 Mid-Autumn Moon falls on Friday, September 25. As the evening breeze grows cooler and the sky clears, here is the wine I would choose for this most Japanese of evenings.
The Culture of Moon-Viewing and Wine
Tsukimi (Jugoya) is a traditional Japanese festival centered on the full moon of the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. Offerings of tsukimi dango, pampas grass, and seasonal produce give thanks for the autumn harvest. The custom of tsukimi-zake — sharing sake or wine under the moon — has been observed for centuries. In recent years, wine has become an increasingly popular way to mark the occasion.
Italy's Harvest Festival and the Night Moon
Italy has its own autumn tradition worth sharing. Each September, the town of Marino in Lazio, just outside Rome, holds the Sagra dell'Uva — a centuries-old grape harvest festival. In 2026 it marks its remarkable 100th edition, running September 27 to October 7. The festival's most beloved tradition: the central town fountain flows freely with red wine for anyone who comes. Under the moonlight, surrounded by the scent of grape must, residents and visitors celebrate the harvest together. The spirit of gratitude for the season's bounty, under the light of the moon, connects this Italian tradition to Japan's Tsukimi in a way that moves me deeply.
Choosing the Right Wine for Moon-Viewing
The ideal Tsukimi wine shares a few qualities: a touch of sweetness, a light body you can sip contemplatively, and a clean fragrance of flowers and fruit. Dry reds feel too heavy; lightly sweet styles complement tsukimi dango, sweet chestnuts, and autumn fruits beautifully, and amplify the quiet mood of an autumn evening.
This Year's Recommendation: Doppio Passo Moscato
Made from 100% Moscato Bianco grown in Sicily, Doppio Passo Moscato offers a gently sweet aroma of white peach, muscat grape, and orange blossom. Its lower alcohol and light body make it perfectly suited to a Tsukimi evening. It pairs beautifully with tsukimi dango, sweet chestnut paste, muscat grapes, pears, and other autumn sweets. Serve well-chilled and enjoy.
Making the Most of Your Evening
A tulip-shaped white wine glass will let the fragrance open fully. If you're outdoors or on a veranda, a stemless glass is practical. Setting a small vessel of water nearby to reflect the moon is a wonderfully elegant Tsukimi touch.
Sitting under the autumn moon with a glass of wine in hand — no grand luxury, nothing complicated. A small richness woven into everyday life. For this year's Harvest Moon on September 25, I hope you'll have a bottle of Doppio Passo Moscato close at hand.
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