Forget dry January, Apple TV's hit wine drama returns soon – and its cast has the perfect pairing

Depending on who you ask, Apple TV may have mistimed the release of its hit wine drama's second season.

With the first episode of Drops of God season 2 set to arrive on January 21, those who've decided to take a break from alcohol after the festive period might want to reconsider – after all, you can't be expected to watch a show that features some of the world's best wines without being tempted to pour yourself a glass, right?

Premiering in April 2023, the series quickly amassed a consensus critics' rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, drawing widespread praise – even from non-oenophiles.

Adapted from the beloved manga of the same name, Drops of God already had a large cult following in Japan before the series dropped, but the trilingual show has since built up an even larger international fanbase, particularly in France, where the first season is partially set.

What makes the series so distinctive – beyond the multilingual production and stylish portrayal of flavor senses (you'll know what I mean when you watch it) – is the high-stakes family legacy at its centre. The story revolves around who will inherit the world’s largest private wine collection from renowned critic Alexandre Léger.

Creating a competition like no other, Léger pits his estranged daughter Camille (Fleur Geffrier) against his protégé Issei (Tomohisa Yamashita) in a series of tests to see who'll inherent the fortune and prestige. Think Succession but with the occasional supernatural twist reminiscent of Queen's Gambit.

Season 2 continues the story with Camille and Issei tasked with uncovering the origin of the world’s greatest wine, something even Léger himself could not discover. If this plot sounds a lot different to the manga, it's because it is, with Yamashita confirming that the new season is 80% original.

"I think the choices the writers made were perfect. [It was as if they went,] 'okay, we’re going to take that and that, blend it and create our own stories from it,'" he told TechRadar, adding that "the manga author [Tadashi Agi] gave me a lot of compliments about season 1 and 2".

Yamashita, who previously starred in Netflix's Alice in Borderland and HBO's Tokyo Vice, has described his role in Drops of God as very physically demanding... "I keep drinking a lot of wine," he admitted.

So, who better to ask about which bottle audiences should pair the new season with than its lead stars? Yamashita, who's a big fan of French wines, describes this season as "more deep, structured and heavy – a little bit full body – so Pétrus". That's a premium and pricey Bordeaux, but, Yamashita adds, "I want to pick this wine because in season 2 we grow up a lot."

Geffrier, on other hand, chose to recommend a wine featured in the new season: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which, she says, "is a blend of up to 13 grape varieties [that requires] the right amount of each to make the perfect harmony".

Why Apple TV's Drops of God season 2 is worth breaking dry January for

No matter whether you're a sommelier or a wine novice, Drops of God has broad appeal, as it offers a rare glimpse into a complex industry that can often be considered inaccessible and elitist.

By mixing the history of wine with a story about family and legacy, with a dash of fantastical elements synonymous with manga, the series has created a successful formula that’s worth savoring.

Season 2 builds on this formula, adding an extra layer of excitement with new locations. In one episode, the protagonists travel to Greece and Georgia, which Geffrier described as “really interesting… because we can see very different locations in just a few moments. For people to discover new landscapes, that’s really beautiful".

"These days, more and more things can be done digitally, including meeting new people and [going to new places], so it was refreshing for me to come across such a variety of wines," she added. "It actually stimulates all of my senses, so I want to keep learning from this story."

Even Yamashita admitted that he pushed himself in new ways in the second season. "For Season 2, I did a free-diving experience – actually, production prepared a stunt guy, but I did it myself. I went 15 meters down. Those kinds of intense experiences helped me to build a serious character," he said.

A stylish wine drama with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes doesn’t come along often, let alone one that's set to raise the bar again with new locations and thrills. So, if January feels a little too, well, dry, one of 2026's most exciting new shows could be the perfect excuse to dust off the corkscrew.

The first episode of Drops of God season 2 premieres on Wednesday, January 21, with new episodes releasing weekly until March 11.

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