Disclosed is a novel lactobacillus that is classified as a Lactobacillus plantarum and that has an excellent fermentative ability achieving high viable bacteria counts even if various vegetable juices and fruit juices are used as fermentation substrates. Said lactobacillus classified as a Lactobacillus plantarum is characterized by the achieved viable bacteria count being at least 108 CFU/ml both when 100% grape juice and when 100% orange juice is used as the fermentation substrate.