Bring ribs and water to cover to a boil in a large Dutch oven; reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes. Drain. Place ribs in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch pan.
Stir together maple syrup and next 5 ingredients; pour over ribs.
Bake at 325° for 1 hour.
Grilled Maple Spareribs: Boil ribs as directed; drain. Prepare fire by piling charcoal or lava rocks on 1 side of grill, leaving other side empty. Coat rack with cooking spray, and place on grill. Arrange ribs over empty side, and grill, covered with grill lid, 1 hour and 30 minutes, basting occasionally with sauce.
NOTE: For testing purposes only, we used Kikkoman Aji-Mirin Sweet Cooking Rice Wine.
