Tag Archives: Japanese Sake

Hamamatsu Brewery, Hamamatsu City, Japanese sake, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Hamamatsu Brewery Shussejo Tokubetsu Junmai Homarefuji

April 11, 2020 dragonlife Leave a comment

The other day I had with my good Quebcquois friend, Jonathan Barnabe, to taste a brew by one of my favorite breweries in Shizuoka Prefecture, namely Hamamatsu Brewery!
Shussejo Tokubetsu Junmai Homarefuji!

I bought it for a few reasons:
It is so easy to find it in Shizuoka City.
The brewmaster is a lady!
It was a practical 300ml bottle, perfect for tasting together with a friend!

Rice: Homarefuji (Shizuoka Prefecture) 100%
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled in February 2020

Clarity: very clear
Color: almost transparent
Aroma: dry, fruity, complex. pineapple, vanilla, wheat, flowers, almonds.
Tasting: slightly sirupy. dry and smooth attack. Very easy on the palate.
Complex. Plums, almonds, roasted nuts.
Lingers for a while before ending on a drier note with faint coffee beans.
Turns sllghtly drier with food.
Goes back quickly to initial state once away from food although mikan make an appearance.

Comments: both elegant and strong-minded sake! definitely for both genders who will have a great time opposing their views!
Great on its own. I actually tasted with my good friend in the afternoon!
dangerous as it disappears quickly! LOL

Recommended pairings: chocolate, cheese, fried potatoes.

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

Eikun Brewery, Japanese sake, La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Yui

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Eikun Brewery (Yui) Junmai Ginjo Muroka Nama Genshu (conducted at la Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)

April 5, 2020 dragonlife Leave a comment

I have said it time and again, when it comes to tasting local sake I often do it In La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City in the company of Hiromi Hasegawa as it is cheaper and certainly more entertaining! That is at least for only a part of the vast array of nectars being brewed in this Prefecture! LOL

This time I tasted an Eikun Brewery (Shizuoka City, Shimizu Ku, Yui) sake with a very long name!
Eikun Junmai Ginjo Muroka nama Genshu, meaning a junmai ginjo which went through no modification ever!

Rice: Bizen Omachi (Okayama Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 55%
Yeast: Shizuoka yeast
Alcohol: ;17 degrees
Dryness: -2
Amino acids: 1.7
Bottled in March 2020

Clarity: very clear
Color: faint golden hue
Aroma: discreet, dry fruity.
Green apple, flowers, pineapple

Tasting: Very fruity attack. Complex. Plums, raisins, flowers, almonds.
Very soft on the tongue in spite of its high alcohol contents. Stays longer on palate and tongue than usual. Finishes on a sweeter note with the appearance of melons.
Tends to turn drier with food with appearance of mikan, grapefruit and tamagoyaki.
Very complex, probably because of its nama/unpasteurized and muroka/unfiltered status.

Comments: very elegant, notwithstanding the fact it is nama genshu/unpasturized and no water blended.
Very easy to drink. Should please both genders at any time of afternoon or evening.
Might be best appreciated as a digetsif.

Recommended pairings: cheese, chocolate, marinated foods.

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!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Fujieda City, Hatsukame Brewery, Japanese sake, Okabe, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Hatsukame Brewery (Okabe, Fujieda City) Daiginjo!

April 5, 2020 dragonlife Leave a comment

The other day I had the pleasure to be offered a bottle of rare and expensive sake by Hatsukame Brewery in Okabe, Fujieda City!
Hatsukame Daiginjo!

Rice: Yamada Nishiki (Hyogo Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 45%
Alcohol: 16 degrees
Dryness: +5
Amino acids: 1.3
Bottled in March 2019

Clarity: very clear
Color: very faint golden hue
Aroma: discreet, dry, fruity. Faint pineapple, vanilla, melon, traces of nuts.
Tasting: Dry and fruity attack with strong alcohol backup.
pineapple, vanilla.
Lingers longe rthan expected on the palate before disappearing on a drier note.
Very elusive and elegant.
takes on a drier note with food with the appearance of nuts while staying very dry and probably disappearing faster than when drunk on its own.

Comments: extravagant! The more for it that despite its very elevated status beautifully accompanies food, a rarity for daiginjo!
Constantly calls for another sip while staying silky smooth on the tongue and palate.
A dangerous feeling as it can be appreciated at any time away from or with food!
Makes for the perfect aperitif as well as a enticing nightcap!

Recommended pairings: although it should marry well with more foods and dishes than expected , I particularly appreciated it with tomato salad, oysters, cold pasta and steamed fish.

A hint! The drink to enjoy with the perfect companion or on your own away from it all!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Japanese sake, Sanwa Brewery, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Sanwa Brewery Junmai Daiginjo!

March 15, 2020 dragonlife Leave a comment

Sanwa Brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shzuoka City is already producing standard 180ml bottles, but they have recently come up with a cute blue vase-shaped bottle. The Missus is impatiently waiting to use it as a small flower vase! LOL

For practical and esthetic reasons the “label” is used to seal the top!

You have to read it on both sides!

And on top!

Rice milled down to 50%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled in January 2020

Clarity: very clear
Color: very faint golden hue
Aroma: soft, fruity, discreet, pleasant. Faint pineapple and pears.

Tasting: soft attack warming up the palate. Junmai petillant. Dry and fruity. Pears.
Tends to spread all over the palate, almost aggressively with food in a complete transformation although flavors do not vanish!
Comes back to original state once away fro food, but with the appearance of coffee beans and mikan.
Will take an even drier turn with desserts.

Comments: very fine sake, arguably bets appreciated on its own as it tends to greatly vary with food, although thatin itself becomes a very interesting trait!

Recommended pairings: light food and s greens such as asparaguses and fresh oysters. otherwise would change too much!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Japanese sake, One Cup sake, Sanwa Brewery, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: One Cup Series 16: Sanwa Brewery Garyubai junmai ginjo homarefuji, 120th Anniversary of Shimizu Port!

March 15, 2020 dragonlife Leave a comment

Finally Sanwa Brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City has joined the One Cup Sake Movement! LOL

They had many reasons to do beside the obvious business advantages.
First it became an opportunity to introduce the local mascot and remind people that Mount Fuji stands in Shizuoka Prefecture (and Yamanashi Prefecture! And certainly not in Kanagawa Prefecture or Tokyo!)!

It also commemorates the 120th Anniversary of the founding of modern times Shimizu Port!

This sake was made with locally grown Homare Fuji rice!

Rice: Homare Fuji (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 50%
Alcohol: 16 degrees
Bottled in December 2019

Clarity: very clear
Color: very light golden hue
Aroma: light, fruity, dry. Pears, pineapple, green apples

Tasting: strong dry attack backed with junmai petillant. Almonds, pineapple, nuts, oranges.
disappears quickly enough finishing on a very dry note.
Takes on a milder turn with food and nuttier with still a dry finish.
Drier almonds and oranges and junmai petillant making a strong comeback once away from food.

Comments: very dry and strong sake for a Garyubai by Sanwa Brewery.
Comparatively uncomplicated, solid, dependable sake.
Despite its high status of junmai ginjo a sake fit for any food, especially heavy or izakaya cuisine.

Recommended pairings: grilled meats, stews, nabemono, cheese.

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Buckwheat Noodles, Japanese sake, Masanao Chiba, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Soba, Te Uchi Soba Shizuoka

Hand made soba/buckwheat noodles and sake at Te Uchi Soba Shizuoka with Masanao Chiba in Shizuoka City!

March 12, 2020 dragonlife 1 Comment

Masanao Chiba

Service: Shy at first but very friendly and informative.
Equipment and facilities: Small but overall very clean. Share washroom, oldfashioned but clean
Prices: reasonable~slightly expensive
Strong points:: hand-made/Te uchi soba only! Great sake. Izakaya cuisine.

Very appetizing o-toshi/appetizers accompanying first drink order!

Te Uchi Soba Shizuoka is located inside nationally renown Aoba Odenkai Alley in Aob Street, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City but it is one of the newly established izakaya that do not serve oden in this alley appearing regularly in magazines and TV programmes. Despite that Masanao Chiba is celebrated in the city and beyond for his hand made soba/buckwheat noodles, you will not easily find him in the media!

Tempura of the day!

Apart of the top class soba, Masanao serves all kinds of tidbits depending on the season and availability. But if it is your first visit make a point of ordering the tempura of the day!

Another of the great sake on offer!

If you like Japanese sake, this is the place as Masanao offers nectars from Shizuoka and all over Japan! As they regularly change just ask for his recommendations stating your preferences! It will make for the start of a good conversation!

The fish of the day: aji/horse mackerel tataki/japanese style fish tartare!

Check the short but solid menu. It will give you an opportunity to enjoy Japanese cuisine at its simplest and most easily enjoyable!

And do not forget the soba!

A great place to patronize on your own as “private lair”, or with a great company for a nice chat and drink away from it all!

TE UCHI SOBA SHIZUOKA

420-0034 Shiuzoka Prefecture, Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa Cho, 2-3-6 (inside Aoba Oden Kai)
Tel.: 090-6455-1908
Opening hours: 17:00~24:30
Closed on Wednesdays (might be csosed due to event participation)
Cash only

GOOGLE MAP

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Chiyo Musubi Brewery, Japanese Gastronomy, Japanese sake, Tottori Prefecture, Tottori Sake

Tottori One Cup Sake Tasting 3: Chiyo Musubi Brewery-Gokuraku Oyaji Junmai/Junmai Ginjo

March 12, 2020 dragonlife Leave a comment

Tottori Prefecture is famed all over Japan for a manga called “Gegege no Kitaroo”, a story featuring all kinds of ghosts, whose first episode was pblished back on October 10th, 1967.
Although the prefecture is popular for many other reasons many a fan will visit the Prefecture to visit all the attractions based on that particular manga!

This particular one cup sake is part of a three cups set. This is the third one featuring Medama Oyaji One Eye Old Man, a frie3nd of Kitaroo, the main hero of the manga! He has the particularity to enjoy his baths inside a ramen bowl! Incidentally Gokuraku Oyaji means “Old Man having a great time”!

Rice milled down to 50%
Alcohol: 16 degrees
Bottled in December 2018

Color: light golden
Clarity : very clear
Aroma: strong and deep. Nuts, almonds.
Taste: smooth dry and woody attack warming up the palate with noticeable junmai petillant. Almost sweet almonds, dry oranges/mikan. Disappears after a while lingering on the palate.
Changes little with food but for deeper almonds and oranges.
Tends to sweeten again away from food.

Comments: solid, dependable sake.
Uncomplicated in spite of its elevated status. Very easy to drink. can be enjoyed with any type of meal or with light snacks.

Recommended pairings:: grilled meats, izakaya fare, cheese.

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Chiyo Musubi Brewery, Japanese Gastronomy, Japanese sake, One Cup sake, Tottori Prefecture, Tottori Sake

Tottori One Cup Sake Tasting 2: Chiyo Musubi Brewery-Nezumi Otoko Junmai/Junmai Ginjo

February 21, 2020 dragonlife Leave a comment

This particular one cup sake is part of a three cups set. This is the second one featuring Nezumi Otoko/Rat Man who happens to often antagonize Kitaroo, the main hero of the manga!

Rice milled down to 55%
Alcohol: 16.5 degrees
Bottled in Novemeber 2018

Clarity: very clear
Color: light golden
Aroma: discreet. Dry. Nuts, almonds, dry raisins.
Tasting: very dry attack. Fruity. Roasted nuts, chestnuts, raisins, dry ornages.
Disappears quickly enough warming up the palate with a lingering dry nuts note.
Changes little with food but for deeper nuts and late appearance of coffee nuts.along with deeper almonds.

Comments: Solid, reliable, uncomplicated sake with a very dry accent. Quite modest for a junmai ginjo. Easy to drink.
At its best during a meal, especially izkaya style.

Recommended pairings: cheese, oden, frilled fish, grilled shiitake, tamagoyaki.

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Japanese sake, Oomuraya Brewery, sake, Sake Breweries, Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Oomuraya Brewery Hikake Kyurei Jukusei Honjozo Genshu (conducted at la Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)

February 12, 2020 dragonlife Leave a comment

This time I tasted a sake made by Oomuraya Brewery in Shimada City which comes with some long names to describe their brews:
Hikake (pasteurization) Kyurei (immediately refrigerated after pasteurization) Jyukusei (slowly matured) Honjozo Genshu (no water blending)!

Rice: Gohyakumangoku
Rice milled down to 70%
Yeast: Shizuoka SY-103
Alcohol: 18 degrees
Dryness: +1
Acidity: 1.4
Amino acids: 1.2
Bottled in 2018

Clarity: very clear
Color: light golden hue
Aroma: dry and fruity. Pears, apples faint raisins.
Tasting: dry and fruity attack. Warms up back of the palate. Pears, apples. lingers for a while on the palate before disappearing on drier note.
Tends to become a little drier with food with dry raisins and nuts popping up.

Comments: very fine sake in spite of its comparatively low status.
Very easy to drink, notwithstanding the high alcohol contents.
More elegant than expected. Best drunk at room temperature.
A discovery! The more for it as it limited to only 500 bottles!
If you have a chance to find it, just grab it and keep it as long as you wish until a special occasion!
Suggested pairings: vegetables salads and marinades. Tempura.

LA SOMMELIERE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Chiyo Musubi Brewery, Japanese Gastronomy, Japanese sake, One Cup sake, Tottori Sake

Tottori One Cup Sake Tasting 1: Chiyo Musubi Brewery-Kitaroo Junmai/Junmai Ginjo

February 11, 2020 dragonlife Leave a comment

This particular one cup sake is part of a three cups set. This one is named Kitaroo from the main hero of the manga!

Rice milled down to 50%
Alcohol: 16 degrees
Bottled in Novemeber 2018.

Clarity: very clear
Color: light golden hue
Aroma: discreet, dry and fruity. plums, nuts.
Tasting: very dry and sharp attack. Plums, roasted nuts. Disappears slowly enough wit a strong impression left on the palate. Tastes almost like very dry sherry wit nuts added.
Changes little with food but for some petiillant on the tongue.

Comments: solid, uncompromising and uncomplcated sake to accompany heavy food , especially in winter.
Recommended pairings: potato salad, oden, grilled fish

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Hokkaido, Hokkaido sake, Japanese Gastronomy, Japanese sake, Nihon Seishu Brewery

Hokkaido One Cup Sake Tasting 1: Nihon Seishu Brewery Chitose Branch-Chitosetsuru Hakodate Gagyuzan

November 19, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

i found this one cup sake the other day during my visit in Hakodate, Hokkaido Island!

Although this label is usually sold in Hakodate only the Brewery is actually from Sapporo, namely the Nihon Seishu Brewery but this particular brand, ChitoseTsuru is brewed in their branch brewery in Chitose, not far from the Chitose International airport!

The label depicts Gyaguzan, one of the most, if not most famous night view in Hakodate City!

Rice: various rice from Japan
Dryness: + 1
Acidity: 1.3
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled in June 2019

Clarity: very clear
Color: light golden hue
Aroma: strong. plums
Body: fluid
Taste: dry and smooth attack. Drier than expected. Plums, persimmons, nuts. Lingers for a while on the tongue and palate Does not noticeably change with food but for a little more acidity. Tends to finish on drier note.
Overall: Straightforward sake. Not a premium but quite enjoyable actually if you like solid uncomplicaed brews.
Recommended pairings: Izakaya fare, heavy foods, BBQ, grilled fish.

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Izakaya, Japanese sake, Kasai, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Yakitori

Yakitori and Kushiyaki, and Shizuoka Sake at KASAI in Shizuoka City!

November 13, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

SErvice: shy but very friendly and always ready to explain everything!
Equipment and facilities: ery clean overall. Excellent washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points high standard traditional yakitori and kushiyaki with some superb surprises in stock! Superb sake list especially from Shizuoka Prefecture!

Kasai has long been an establishment of reference in our City of Shizuoka and deservedly so!
Not only they serve traditional yakitori and kushiyaki of high quality but at reasonable prices but they also pride themselves as serving mainly many local products, be they meat or vegetables, and especially a wide range of great Shizuoka sake!
The other day I had the occasion to visit the place in the company of two Canadian/Quebecqois clients who were very keen to sample local gastronomy after a visit of our wasabi and tea fields! They certainly were not disappointed and surprised the owner with their ferocious appetite!

We started by tasting our first sake from Shizuoka Prefecture right away; Isojiman Ginjyo from Yaizu City!
Note that the sakes were chosen by the owner-chef!

Ｗe started with this set: asparagus and bacon rolls and “circles” of shiso and pork!

Also Isojiman from Yaizu City but this time a Junmai Ginjyo!

More asparagus and bacon rolls and large prawns rolled in thin slices of pork!

This came as a “service”, thin slices of new celery with cream sauce and shaved cheese!

And it was time to taste our sake: Garyubai Junmai Ginjyo by Sanwa Brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

The next dish might surprise newcomers to Japan! Extra beef brochettes/kushiyaki, again asparagus rolled in bacon and Shizuoka Wagyu Beef brochettes!
Shizuoka Prefectures has no less than 12 state-labeled wagyu farms! No need to go anywhere else in Japan!

Some dishes just have to tried twice or more! LOL

Geso/squid tentacles, large prawn rolled in thin slices of pork and extra beef!

Two more Shizuoka wagyu brochettes and a specialty of the house: tomato and pork rolls!

Our final Shizuoka Prefecture sake: Karakaze karakuchi junmai ginjyo by Hana no Mai Brewery in Hamakita Ku, Hamamatsu City!

And for the finish Kasai-style exploded chicken wings yakitori!

The nly problem is that I will have to write another blog to introduce all the dishes and sakes we had not tasted!

KASAI420-0029 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tagiya cho, 29-24
Tel.: 054-273-3236
Opening hours: 17:30~24:00
Closed on Sundays
Credit cards ok
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
GOOGLE MAP

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Haginishiki Brewery, Japanese sake, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Sake

Visit of Haginishiki Sake Brewery in Shizuoka City!

September 8, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Haginshiki Brewery for the least is an off the beaten tracks sake brewery for many reasons.
First it is located in Shuzoka City, a location in Japan super famous for its sake but which in spite of 27 breweries produces only 0.5% of the total national Japanese production making their sake rare outside the Prefecture!

It was founded in 1876 above its own natural water source in Suruga Ku, south of Shizuoka Station, but its long history could have ended with the untimely death of its owner, Yoshisaka Hagiwara at the age of 62 a few years ago. But his wife, Ikuko Hagiwara had already become a certified brew master and was consequently joined by her own daughter, Ayanao Hagiwara, another certified brewmaster, making it the only mother/daughter sake master brewers in Shizuoka Prefecture! I doubt there are many such cases in the whole Japan! The latter were joined by Ayano’s husband, Tomonori Hagiwara, himself hailing from a sake brewing family in Kyushu Ayano had met at university in Tokyo. Tomonori having married into the family insured a male heir to the old family! He does participate in the brewing but is more involved in the financial running of the brewery!

The water pump still extracting underground water to be used in the making of succulent sake! You can taste the water and I can tell you it is superb!

The traditional Shinto altar!
Although Ayano has introduced computers and high tech to the running of the brewery and repaired or installed some new equipment the whole place looks more like a small museum!

You definitely need a guide to explain the similarly disorder of the place!

The visit was conducted outside the brewing season but the enormous vats are there to be admired and touched!

The bottling and the labeling is still traditional as this is a small brewery not in need of bulky equipment. When they brew the sake the whole family pitches in with the help of some seasonal hands and intern students!

More vats of various sizes! They are not all used but since they are very valuable they stay in!

These smaller vats are for top premium sake!

Behind these doors the rice is being fermnted! Sorry, no visitors allowed inside!

These very valuables glass vats are used for the very best sake! They are used in the dripping filtering process, a long and precise operation. As they don’t make these anymore they are irreplaceable!

Past the very entrance you will discover the whole palette of their brews as they do accept visits and tastings!

This pic was taken when I took a party of Canadian tourists there for a full visit and tasting event!
As this is a small brewery where everyone is quite busy all year, such visits can be only organized on reservations only and this with plenty of warning!

HAGAINISHIKI/萩錦 BREWERY

Shizuoka City, Suruga KU, Nishiwaki, 381
Tel.: 054-285-2371

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Japan, Japan Sake, Kyoto City, One Cup sake, sake, Tomio Brewery

Kyoto One Cup Sake Tasting 1: Kitagawa Honkei Brewery-Tomio Honjozo Miyouhoudai

September 3, 2017 dragonlife 1 Comment

Tomo Brewery in Kyoto City has created this one cup sake to promote tourism and Miyoudoudai Festival in particular when the night is lit by ritual fires in the mountains surrounding the city!

And the design characters of the cup have the particularity to turn from transparent to red when the temperature dips under 17 degrees Celsius!

incidentally, this is a hojonzo!

Rice milled down to 68%
Alcohol: 14 degrees
Bottled in February 2016

Color: almost transparent
Clarity: very clear
Aroma: Strong and dry. Plums, smoked wood, raisins
Taste: Dry, deepish and fruity attack.
Raisins, plums, dry mandarins.
Lingers for a while on the palate to depart on even drier notes of oranges, coffee beans and almonds.

Overall: an uncomplicated sake conceived to be enjoyed with food, especially izakaya fare, although many a sake lover would drink it on its own.
Keep the cup as a souvenir!
Recommended pairings: bbq meats, nuts, fried potatoes, cheese

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Japan, Japanese sake, La Sommeliere, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Sanwa Brewery-Garyubai Jumai Daiginjo Nama Genshu Fukuro Tsuri Tobin Kakoi (conducted at la Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)

February 18, 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 one by one of Hiromi’s favorite breweries, namely, Sanwa Brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City, which has the particularity to come up with long names for its brews!

The picture above states that the rice used is Bizen Ohmachi from Toyama Prefecture!

A long name as usual: Garyubai/臥龍梅 Junmai Daiginjo/純米大吟醸 (pure rice alcohol added) Nama/生原 (unpasteurized) Genshu/酒袋 (no pure water added) Fukuro tsuri/吊り Tobin Kakoi/斗瓶囲い!

As for Fukuro tsuri/吊り Tobin Kakoi/斗瓶囲い, “fukuro tsuri” means that the sake was not pressed but let to drip out of suspended bags, and “tobi kakoi” means that the naturally-filtered sake was gathered into expensive large glass flasks!

Rice: Bizen Ohmachi (Toyama Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 50%
Alcohol: 16~17 degrees
Dryness: + 4
Acidity: 1.3
Bottled in May 2015

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Faint golden hue
Aroma: Light, dry and fruity. Complex. Pears, melon, passion fruit, green apples
Body: Slightly sirupy
Taste: Dry but very fruity attack , but only with a little junmai petillant.
Complex.
Plums, pears, smoked muscat, melon, passion fruit.
Lingers on palate for quite a while before before departing with oranges and kumquats.
Melon makes a last appearance.

Overall: Extremely elegant sweetish sake in spite of its announced + 4 dryness.
Very fruity and complex it will appeal to ladies in particular.
Probably best enjoyed at room temperature on its own or as a digestif.
Suggested pairings: foie gras, blue cheese, smoked cheese.
Extravagant!

LA SOMMELIERE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES