Japanese wine sparkles occasionally (4)
I believe the answer is:
sake
'japanese wine' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'sparkles occasionally' is the wordplay.
'occasionally' indicates alternate letters (letters taken at regular intervals or occasions).
The alternating letters of 'sparkles' are 'SAKE'.
(Other definitions for sake that I've seen before include "account" , "Japanese alcoholic drink make from rice" , "Japanese rice wine" , "For old times' --" , "Japanese alcoholic drink made from rice" .)