Fukui Sake Tasting: One Cup Series 3): Uno Brewery-Daiginjo Ichi No Tani

April 7, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

The other day a good friend of mine, Doctor Michitomo Kawahito brought me st of three one cup sake from Fukui Prefecture!

The set out of it package!

The third tasting: Daiginjo “Ichi no Tani” by Uno Brewery!

Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Rice milled down to 40%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled in March 2016

Clarity: very clear
Color: transparent
Body: fluid
Aroma: dry and fruity. Plums, oranges
Taste: dry and fruity attack.
Extremely complex: melon, faint custard, notes of white flowers, banana, pears, lychees, apricots, mirabelle.
Lingers for a while before departing on a slightly drier note with more fruit/oranges and almonds.
Gets drier with food with more dry oranges.

Overall: very elegant, actually extravagant for a one-cup sake!
Ever-changing sake that will keep you on your toes and looking forward to the next sip!
A sake to be enjoyed on its own!
The perfect souvenir!

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So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Gotemba City, Japan, Japan Tourism, Shinto Shrines, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Niihashi Sengen Shrine (新橋神社) in Gotemba City!

April 7, 2016 dragonlife 1 Comment

The other day I had the occasion to spend a day in Gotemba City and took the opportunity to visit its main Shinto Shrine, namely Niihashi Sengen Shrine/新橋浅間神社!

It is a big shrine indeed with the full regalia, including these ancient stone lanterns at the very entrance marked by the first torii gate!

A long (by Shizuoka standards) stone-paved lane leads to the shrine!

The second toriii gate!

The first pair of komainu/lion guards is pretty ancient!

It has its forepaw settled atop a young lion, a bit unusual although I have found a few such in Shizuoka Prefecture!

What is unusual is that his companion also has a paw rested atop a younger lion guard!

I wonder why someone has put a shell on both pedestals?

The place even has a small pond with sacred carps!

The roofed hand washing stone basin!

Complete with a dragon water spout!

Another small shrine behind the stone basin!

Quite a few cherry trees were stating blooming inside the shrine grounds!

The haiden/shrine for the worshipers!

Usually this type of building is used either as a stage for the shrine festival or as a storeroom for portable shrines!

The closed-mouth lion guard!

With its forepaw atop a young lion guard!

Its open-mouthed companion!

But with its paw resting upon a sphere!
I’ve already noticed that same lion guards combination at an old shrine in Shizuoka City, but it a bit unusual!

Another view!

I actually found these two lions are very new!
The design of their tails is certainly modern!

More cherry blossoms!

The water from this sacred source comes directly from nearby Mount Fuji!

The honden/worshipers’ hall!

With its shimenawa/rice straw garland!

The pinion!

The money-offerings box!

Moving to the haiden/deity abode behind the honden!

The haiden with its roofed corridor!

Regularly repainted!

Overlooked by ancient cedar trees!

Made a point to taste the water f the sacred source before leaving! Beautiful water, actually! No wonder people gather to collect a lot of it!

Good-bye Niihashi sengen Shrine!

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Fukui Prefecture, One Cup sake, sake, Sake Brewery

Fukui Sake Tasting: One Cup Series 2): Funaki Brewery-Ginjo Kita no Shou

April 7, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

The other day a good friend of mine, Doctor Michitomo Kawahito brought me st of three one cup sake from Fukui Prefecture!

The set out of it package!

The second tasting: Ginjo Kita No Shou by Funaki Brewery!

Rice milled down to 55%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled in February 2016

Clarity: very clear
Color: golden hue
Aroma: dry and fruity. Prunes
Body: fluid
Taste: dry and fruity attack.
Prunes, faint vanilla and oranges backed up with strong alcohol.
Lingers for a while before departing on smoky notes and dry oranges.
oranges making a comeback with following sips.

Overall: straightforward, uncomplicated and solid sake.
Obviously conceived to accompany food, especially izakaya and BBQ fare.
For dry and rustic sake lovers.
Suggested pairings: grilled fish, yakitori, stews.

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Japan, Japan Gastronomy, Shellfish, Shizuoka City

Shellfish at Shizuoka Parche Fish Market!

April 7, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

I had been long due for a visit at the Fish Market inside Parche Department Store located at Shizuoka City JR Station!
It seems we are in a season particularly favorable for shellfish!
The variety will drive an expat crazy!
OK, let’s have a look!

Sudaregai/すだれ貝: Venus clam!

Tairagi/玉珧 (also called Tairagai/平貝): pen shell!

Shirobai/白蛽、白海蠃、白海螄: white Japanese ivory shell, white Japanese babylon!

Tsubugai/螺貝 (or Tsubu/螺): whelk!

Chigai/稚貝: small Scallops!

Hotate/帆立: scallop!

Hokkigai/北寄貝: Sakhalin surf clam (also called Ubagai/姥貝)!

Honbinosugai/ホンビノスガイ: hard clam, Northern quahog!

Umi Tsubo/海つぼ: Japanese ivory shell, Japanese Babylon（also called Bai (or Baigai)/ 蛽、海蠃、海螄 )!

Kotobushi/床臥・常節: small abalone!

Iso Tsubugai/磯つぶ貝: Small whelk variety Buccinum middendorff Verkruzen, 1882 (also called Ezobai/蝦夷バイ)

Isomono/いそも: Top-shell (also called Bateira/馬蹄螺)!

Asari/浅利: Japanese littleneck, Manila clam!

More Hotate/帆立: scallopｓ!

And to finish, more Hokkigai/北寄貝: Sakhalin surf clam (also called Ubagai/姥貝)!

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Craft Beer, Japan Craft beer, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Craft Beer: Aoi Brewing-Harumi　(2016 version-1st Batch)

April 5, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Last year Aoi Brewing produced its first Harumi craft beer, a fruit craft beer made with real mikan/mandarin oranges grown in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City called “harumi mikan”. Following its great success it will be brewed every year although the quantity is limited due to the restricted availability of the mandarins!

This year’s Harumi will actually be brewed into 3 different batches which are bound to taste differently according to the very difference between the harvested mikan.
The harumi used in this first batch were comparatively small with little juice.

Served on tap
Barley, Pilsner Malt, Maris Otter malt, Topaz hop, Sapphire hop, American Ale yeast
Unfiltered
Natural carbonation
Acohol/ABV: 5.5 degrees
IBU: 17
Production: 450 l
Bubbles: longish head, very fine bubbles, creamy, white color
Color: orange
Aroma: dry and fruity. Discreet. Dry citruses
Taste: deep, dry and fruity attack with just a tinge of acidity.
Plenty of green mandarin oranges.
Drier than previous brewed in 2015.
Lingers long enough on palate for true tasting before departing on more if a bit drier mandarin oranges.
Mandarin oranges will surge even more strongly with further sips.
Changes little with food but for the appearance of more and more dry mandarin oranges.

Overall: very elegant fruit craft beer.
Simply extravagant, although one might think that the following batches will be even better!
Should please ladies and dry fruit beer lovers in particular.
A craft beer for all seasons.
Suggested pairings: vegetable salads, mixed nuts.

Beer Junkie MOTEL

420-0035 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shichiken Cho, 11-5, IMAKKOKO Bldg. 1F
Tel.: 054-253-6558
Opening hours: 17:00~25:00, 17:00~26:00 (Saturday), 15:00~22:00 (Sunday)
Closed on Tuesday
Parties welcome
FACEBOOK

BEER GARAGE

Aoi Brewing Co.,Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyagasaki Chyo, 30
Tel.: 054-294-8911
Opening hours: 17:00~23:00 (Monday~Friday), 15:00~23:00 (Saturday), 15:00~22:00 (Sunday)
Closed on Tuesdays
COD, Cash On Delivery only for all orders.
MAP
FACEBOOK

AOI BEER STAND
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 4-6, Den bill, 1F
Tel.: 054-260-5203
Opening hours: 11:00~23:00
Credit cards OK
FACEBOOK

Some Aoi beers are also available at Aoi Brewery’s restaurant in Shizuoka City, namely

GROWSTOCK

420-0852 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Koyamachi Naka Building, 5F
Tel.: 054-293-9331
Opening hours: 17:00~25:00 (Mon.~Thurs.), 17:00~27:00 (Fri & Sat.), 17:00~24:00 (Sun.)
Parties welcome (reserve!)
Credit Cards OK
FACEBOOK

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Eels, Eels Restaurant, Gotemba City, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka Prefecture

Japanese Gastronomy: Eel Lunch at Unagi No Hirota in Gotemba City!

April 4, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Shy but friendly and attentive
Equipment & facilities: Old-fashioned but very clean overall. Excellent washroom
Prices: slightly expensive (Japanese eels are not cheap in Japan!)
Strong points: Eels! Seafood and yakitori. All local! Good sake and shochu list.

Unagi no Hirota Restaurant is located within walking distance of the north exit of Gotemba JR Station on the second floor of a somewhat derelict building dating back to the bubble era.
Most of the shops in the building are closed but Unagi no Hirota has survived, a good indication of its quality!

The place is busy even on week days, half with tourists, half with locals, who choose a seat at the counter, around the square central table or on the tatami floor.

I would recommend lunch in particular when the prices are more reasonable as eels are increasingly becoming expensive at restaurants serving Japanese eels, not the cheap imported Chinese variety!

All the eels have been raised in Yoshida Cho, by the Suruga Bay in Central Shizuoka Prefecture for the last 40 years and are prepared form live fish on site, ensuring a safe traceability!

Dragon with a smaller appetite had ordered a “Ieyasu” set lunch!

For a closer view of the main dish!

As for me I ordered the “Nobunaga” lunch set which included an extra length of eel!

My eels!

Side vegetable dish for good balance!

I particularly appreciated the fact that the skin (underneath) was more grilled than greasy as in other establishments, making it not only to easier to eat but also far more tasty!
Moreover the eel was basted with the right amount of sauce, not hiding the taste of the eel but actually accentuating it!

Definitely above average. No wonder it had been recommended to us by the locals!

Unagi No Hirota/鰻のひろ田

〒412-0026　Shizuoka Prefecture, Gotemba City, Higashi tanaka, 870-1, Fashion Plaza, 2F
静岡県御殿場市東田中８７０−１ファッションプラザ 2F
Tel.: 0550-83-3114
Opening hours: 11:00~14:00, 17:00~20:00
Closed on Wednesdays
Credit cards: OK above 5,000 yen
Check their FACEBOOK SITE for more pictures and information!

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Gotemba City, Japan, Japan Tourism, Manhole covers, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Manhole Covers in Shizuoka Prefecture 39): Gotemba City!

April 3, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

A fire hydrant manhole cover type found in the whole prefecture but with the emblem of Gotemba City!

The other day I had the occasion to visit again again Gotemba City in the Eastern part of Shizuoka Prefecture for the first time in many years and could at last manage to check all the manhole covers in town.
They are quite easy to discover as they all within walking distance for the station north exit!

This the main manhole cover symbolizing Gotemba City and remiding visitors that once a D 52-type steam locomotive used to stop there!

The same manhole cover in color (only a few of them!) with Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms!

This smaller valve cover is fairly new and comes into two different types!

The second type!
I wonder what the birds are?

Small white covers with the original design can be found in many places!
Otherwise many other types, both neutral and colored common to the whole Prefecture can be found along your steps!
Good hunting!

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Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Fukui Prefecture, One Cup sake, sake, Sake Brewery

Fukui Sake Tasting: One Cup Series 1) Nanbu Brewery-Hanagaki Junmai

April 3, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

The other day a good friend of mine, Doctor Michitomo Kawahito brought me st of three one cup sake from Fukui Prefecture!

The set out of it package!

I started their tasting with a junmai called hanagaki by Nanbu Brewery!

Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15 degrees
Bottled in February 2016

Clarity: very clear
Color: golden hue
Aroma: dry and fruity. Prunes, faint bananas
Body: fluid
Taste: very dry and fruity attack backed up with puissant junmai petillant.
Prunes, dry apricots.
lingers for a while before departing with pleasant acidity and faint ornages.
Varies little with food.

Overall: pleasant and uncomplicated sake highly suitable to drink with izakaya cuisine and haevy dishes.
Should please the dry sake lovers.
Certainly a souvenir worth taking around.
Suggested pairings: blue cheese, BBQ, yakitori.

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Shizuoka Craft Beer: Aoi Brewing-Belgian Subtle IPA (new version)

March 30, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Aoi Brewing in Shizuoka City has just produced another Belgian Subtle IPA but it is different from the precedent one as no dry hopping was involved and a different yeast was used!

Served on tap
Barley, Maris Otter malt, Munich malt, Dark Crystal malt, Topaz hop, Crystal hop, Sapphire hop, Trappiste yeast
Unfiltered
Natural carbonation
Acohol/ABV: 6.3 degrees
IBU: 32
Production: 450 l
Bubbles: long head, very fine bubbles, creamy, white color
Color: dark orange
Aroma: light. Biscuits, oranges
Taste: deep, dry and fruity attack backed up with pleasant acidity.
Lingers long enough for true tasting before departing on acid notes of oranges
Varies little with food.

Overall: Another very fine craft beer for all seasons!
A must taste not only for the sake of novelty but simply because it is a fine craft beer!
Should please any gender of any age!
Pairings: pork meats, pizza.

Beer Junkie MOTEL

BEER GARAGE

AOI BEER STAND
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 4-6, Den bill, 1F
Tel.: 054-260-5203
Opening hours: 11:00~23:00
Credit cards OK
FACEBOOK

Some Aoi beers are also available at Aoi Brewery’s restaurant in Shizuoka City, namely

GROWSTOCK

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Shizuoka Craft Beer: Aoi Brewing-Le Septieme Voyage

March 29, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Aoi Brewing has been putting out limited craft beers this years to celebrate anniversaries of its various establishments!

This time they celebrated the seventh anniversary of Growstock, their pub restaurant in Shizuoka City with a Belgian wheat Ale type craft beer: “Le Septieme Voyage/the 7th Voyage”!
Accordingly seven “spices” were also used in its creation!

Served on tap
Barley, Wheat, Pilsner Malt, Wheat malt, Topaz hop, Pearl hop,coriander, nutmeg, orange peels, lemon peels, cloves, papaya, mango, Americqn Ale yeast
Unfiltered
Natural carbonation
Acohol/ABV: 5.9 degrees
IBU: 25
Production: 450 l
Bubbles: long head, very fine bubbles, creamy, white color
Color: lemon/orange color
Aroma: dry and spicy. Citruses, herbs
Taste: dry, deep, spicy and fruity attack backed up with pleasant acidity.
Complex. Citruses, strong cloves, faint mango.
Lingers long enough for true tasting before departing with more dry cloves.
Changes little with food but for more spices perking up.

Overall: very pleasant and intriguing craft beer.
Very spicy for a beer backed up with plenty of acidity.
Should please ladies in Particular.
Suggested pairings: fried potatoes, pork meats, BBQ

Beer Junkie MOTEL

BEER GARAGE

AOI BEER STAND
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 4-6, Den bill, 1F
Tel.: 054-260-5203
Opening hours: 11:00~23:00
Credit cards OK
FACEBOOK

Some Aoi beers are also available at Aoi Brewery’s restaurant in Shizuoka City, namely

GROWSTOCK

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Gotemba City, Negami Brewery, sake, Sake Breweries, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Negami Brewery-Kinmei Junmai Nama Genshu Shiboritate

March 27, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

The other I was back to my favorite lair, namely Kasuri in Aoba Odengai in Shizuoka City, where I knew a fine sake was waiting for my tasting!

It was a nectar created by Negami Brewery in Gotemba City!
Kinmei Junmai (no pure alcohol blended in) Nama (unpasteurized) Genshu (no pure rice alcohol blended in) Shiboritate (just pressed)!

Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Rice milled down to 50~60%
Alcohol: 17 degrees
Second press
Bottled in March 2016

Clarity: very clear
Color: transparent
Aroma: dry and fruity. Pears
Body: fluid
Taste: very dry and fruity attack backed up with puissant junmai petillent.
Complex: pears, white flowers, melon, oranges.
Lingers for a while before departing on notes of soft flowers, melon and oranges.
Turns drier with food with herbs making an appearance.

Overall: Another nectar to be enjoyed in the place of a white wine!
Best appreciated on its own slightly chilled.
Difficult to pair with food because of its very complex character.
Suggested pairing: asparaguses

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Morimoto Brewery-H. Morimoto Filtered Tokubetsu Junmai Nama Genshu

March 19, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Last night when I paid a quick visit to my favorite oden bar in Shizuoka City, the Mama san showed this bottle she had just acquired at Tomitaya Sake Store in Shizuoka City!

Great Brew Master Hitoshi Morimoto was having fun once again in Kikugawa City, in the central-Western part of Shizuoka Prefecture!
The name was just his as he called it H. Morimoto Filtered (in English) for this Tokubetsu Junmai (no pure alcohol blended in) Nama (unpasteurized) genshu (no pure water blended in)!
Incidentally, it is a very limited edition!

Rice: Gohyakumangoku (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 60%
Yeast: Kyoukai 901 Go
Alcohol: 17~18 degrees
Dryness: – 4
Bottled in February 2016

Clarity: very clear
Color: faint golden hue
Aroma: dry and discreet. Rice, faint pears
Taste: very fruity, sweetish attack backed up with puissant junmai petillant.
Complex: apples, plums, apricots, sweet pears.
Lingers for a while before departing on sweet, fruity and flowery notes and oranges.
No acidity whatsoever but the sweetness is not cloying at all.

Overall: a very fruity and flowery nectar!
Very unusual concept in Shizuoka prefecture where the great majority of sake are dry.
Very deep and complex with ever-changing facets surging up.
A sake best enjoyed on its own although could definitely be savored in the place of a dessert wine.
A last liqueur for the road, but one easy on the body and soul!
Suggested pairings: Chocolate, blue cheese.

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Shizuoka Craft Beer: Aoi Brewing-Never Mind The Hops

March 19, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Aoi Brewwing Co in Shizuoka City has just produced a once in a time craft beer to celebrate the first Anniversary of Beer Junkies Motel, their fourth establishment in the same town called “Never Mind The Hops!

Served on tap
Barley, Pale Malt, Munich Malt, Pilsner malt, Dark Crystal malt, Black malt, Roasted barley malt, Challenger hop (English), British ale yeast 2
Unfiltered
Natural carbonation
Acohol/ABV: 4.5 degrees
IBU: 26
Production: 450 l
Bubbles: long head, very fine bubbles, creamy, light brown color
Color: orange brown
Aroma: dry, discreet. Bread, biscuits, faint honey
Taste: sweeter attack than aroma but quickly turns to dry and deep with welcome acidity.
Complex: biscuits, dry honey
Lingers long enough for true tasting before taking a long time to depart on pleasantly acid biscuits and bread with hints of oranges and persimmon.
Changes little with food.
Will keep finishing on a dry note sip after sip.

Overall: Definitely an English dry ale-style craft beer!
A real pity it will be only a once in a lifetime (although I suspect its success will encourage the brew master to try again!)!
Complex and pleasantly changing on the palate.
Suggested pairings: fish and chips, Shepherd’s pie, Steak and kidney pie, pork.

Beer Junkie MOTEL

BEER GARAGE

AOI BEER STAND
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 4-6, Den bill, 1F
Tel.: 054-260-5203
Opening hours: 11:00~23:00
Credit cards OK
FACEBOOK

Some Aoi beers are also available at Aoi Brewery’s restaurant in Shizuoka City, namely

GROWSTOCK

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Japan, La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka City, Spanish Wines

Spanish Wine Tasting: Castillo de Enguerra Reserva 2010 Red Organic (conducted at la Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)

March 17, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

I do love my sake and craft beer but I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to taste a good wine!
Moreover, the fact I’m for Bourgogne, France, does not limit or hamper whatsoever my scope. A good wine is a good wine! Full stop.
And once again I found myself tasting another an unusual nectar in the company of my good friend, Mrs. Hiromi Hasegawa in her castle, La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City!

Castillo de Enguera 2010 Red made by Bodegas Enguera in Valencia, Spain!

Bodegas Enguera was funded in 1999 with two fields in the Valencia area covering a total of 160 ha where grapes are organically grown at over 650 meter altitude:
Tembla Nino, 60%
Monastorere, 25%
Syrah, 15%
This particular wine is a blending of the above grapes matured for 12 months in New French casks (60%) and second-year American oak casks (40%).
Alcohol: 14 degrees

SUITABLE FOR VEGANS!

Clarity: Opaque and dense but very clean.
Color: Very dark red
Aroma: Dry and fruity. Red fruit, cassis, dry prunes, dry figs, spicy herbs.
Taste: Dry and fruity attack.
Complex: black fruit jam, confiture, black pepper.
Gives the impression of eating red grapes.
Complex to the point of insistingly inviting for another and another sip. Will intrigue you with new facets every time.
Stays long enough in palate for true tasting before departing on notes of spicy black pepper and dry coffee beans.

Overall: Eminently enjoyable red wine. Complex, spicy but gentle on the palate for lack of acidity in spite of basic dryness.
A well-balanced red wine very easy　to pair with dishes.
Suggested pairings: blueberry sauce venison, Korean BBQ/yakiniku, simmered pork/buta no kakuni, Chinese cuisine.

Retailed at 2,380 yen for takeout.
Sold at 900 yen per glass or 3,880 yen per bottle to be drunk on site.
Very good value!

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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Japan, Japan Gastronomy, La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City, sake, Sake Breweries, Shizuoka City, Suruga Brewery

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Suruga Brewery-Tenko Junmai Dai Ginjo Muroka Genshu (conducted at la Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)

March 16, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

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!

This time we tasted a nectar brewed by an increasingly popular Suruga Brewery (Shizuoka City) which is already a lot of attention throughout Japan despite its very short history!

“Tenko/Heavens Rainbow” Junmai (no pure sake alcohol blended in) Daiginjo Muroka (unfiltered) Genshu (no pure water added)!

Rice: Yamada Nishiki (Hyogo Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 40%
Dryness: + 2
Acidity: 1.2
Alcohol: 16~17 degrees
Bottled in December 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: light gold
Aroma: dry and very fruity.
Pears, banana, custard, chestnuts, young coconuts, green melon
Body: fluid, almost sirupy
Taste: dry and fruity attack backed with puissant junmai petillant.
Complex: custard, cream soda, banana, yogurt.
Always seems to reach the brink of sweetness without reaching it.
Lingers on for a short while before departing on a slightly drier note of custard, oranges and faint almonds.
Will become markedly drier with salty foods.

Overall: Very rich sake if there were such a term!
Both elegant and very satisfying.
Very fruity and sweetish at first but beautifully counterbalanced with swift, but in the right amount, acidity.
Could definitely be used as a superlative dessert wine!
Suggested pairings: Blue cheese!

LA SOMMELIERE

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