Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Bandai Brewery-Izu Banyou Junmai Ginjo Homarefuji

Bandai is a very old brewery located in ancient hot spring city of Shuzenji now merged to Izu City in the centre of Izu Peninsula.
As Bandai Brewery it is not the oldest brewery in the Prefecture but it has existed under other names for more than 500 years!

In spite of being the sole brewery left in Izu Peninsula somewhat isolated in Shizuoka Prefecture, making it difficult to find their bottles, it keeps abreast of modern ideas and has used Shizuoka-grown Homarefuji sake rice for some time.

The name of this particular brand, “Banyou/満燿” is linked to the origin of the brewery back in 1497 as mentioned by Houjyou Souun/北条早雲, himself a native of Izu Peninsula!

Rice: Homarefuji (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 16~17 degrees
Bottled in January 2016

Clarity: very clear
Color: almost transparent
Aroma: discreet, dry and fruity. Melon.
Body: fluid
Taste: very dry and fruity attack backed up by puissant junmai petillant.
Complex: apricot, melons, muscat.
Lingers for a while on the palate before departing on a drier note of muscat and nuts.
Sweetness will increase with temperature along the discovery o more “facets”.
Varies little with food.

Overall: A bit of a discovery although I have known the brewery for quite some time.
Ought to be better known in spite of the distance to travel to Shuzenji.
Very complex and fruity.
Can be enjoyed on its own or with food at any temperature.
Pairings: oden! (Japanese pot-au-feu)

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