Soon Hari Grape

This bottle is Soon Hari's Grape, listed under both wine and soju, and made in Massachusetts. The listing gives no ABV, vintage or grape variety, so what follows describes the style. It is not a measured profile of this bottle. Flavored soju in this vein is usually lighter and softer than traditional soju. Expect a clear, juice-forward grape character, closer to fresh table grapes or grape candy than to the dark, tannic notes of a red wine. Styles like this typically have no meaningful tannin and no oak. Body is light, acidity is low to moderate, and the finish is short and clean, with some sweetness lingering at the end. Serve it well chilled, around 36 to 42°F, which keeps the sweetness crisp and the grape flavor bright. Straight from the refrigerator is fine, and a few ice cubes in the glass work if you want it more diluted. Decanting does nothing for a bottle like this, and there's no reason to let it breathe. For glassware, the traditional small soju glass suits neat sipping. A white wine glass works if you want to catch the fruit aroma, and a tumbler with ice is better for a longer, slower drink. Because the style is sweet and light, it also mixes easily with soda water or a splash of citrus, which cuts the sweetness and stretches the bottle. For food, flavored soju usually does best against salty, spicy or fatty dishes. Korean fried chicken, grilled pork belly, tteokbokki and kimchi pancakes are the classic matches, because the cold sweetness takes the edge off chili heat and richness. Salty snacks, dumplings and sushi are also reasonable, especially with something tangy on the plate. Very delicate dishes will be overwhelmed by the sweetness. This is a drink-now bottle. Flavored soju is made for freshness and doesn't improve with age, so buy it to drink and don't cellar it. Once opened, recap it tightly and keep it cold. The fruit flavor is best in the first few days.