Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Eikun Brewery-Yamahai Junmai /Look Before You Leap(conducted at la Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)

I don’t mind repeating it all the time but I prefer conducting sake tastings in the right environment but not many places are propitious for that exercise or willing to help.
But La Sommeliere in Miyuki Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City is certainly becoming a habit as not only I can conduct my tasting in the best conditions possible but also exchange views at the same time!

Recent years have seen quite a few breweries in Shizuoka Prefecture tackle the difficult creation of Yamahai.

This time it is Eikun Brewery in Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City which produced a yamahai Junmai!

With the addition of an interesting subtitle: -Look before you leap- although the Japanese translation somewhat differs!

Rice: Hyakumangoku (Toyama Prefecture) as the Kojimai/麹米, leavened rice
Donmanaka (Akita Prefecture) as the kakemai/掛米, added rice
Rice both milled down to 60%
Yeast: Shizuoka NEW 5
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Dryness: + 7
Acidity: 1.6
Bottled in September 2016

Clarity: very clear
Color: faint golden hue
Aroma dry, soft and fruity. Plums, custard, mandarines, melon
Body: fluid, almost sirupy
Taste: dry and very fruity attack backed up with puissant junmai petillant.
Complex: melon, custard, plums.
Lingers for a while on the palate before departing on drier notes of dark chocolate and custard.
Tends to linger with a drier and drier accent. mandarins and dry nuts make a late appearance.
Varies little with food.

Overall: Very elegant for a Yamahai and drinks very easily.
Can be truly enjoyed at any temperatures.
Definitely conceived to accompany food.
Great on its own but would be more appreciated either as an aperitif or a fine dry white wine.
Suggested pairings: ankimo, cheese, quiche.

LA SOMMELIERE

420-0857 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 7-5, Aiseido Bldg, 1F
Tel. & Fax: 054-266-5085
Opening hours: 11:00~22:00, 12:00~18:00 on Sundays & National Holidays
FACEBOOK (Japanese)
Entirely non-smoking!

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