Tag Archives: Shizuoka City

Craft beers, Japan Craft Beers, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Beer Tasting: Aoi Brewing-Cracked Fingers American IPA

June 30, 2016 dragonlife 2 Comments

Aoi Brewing in Shizuoka City has come up with a limited beer supposedly very bitter/acid!
Cracked Fingers American IPA (also accompanied by “55”)!

Served on tap
Barley, Maris Otter malt (England), Munich Malt (Germany), Crystal Malt, Chinook hop (USA), Cascade hop (USA), American ale yeast
Unfiltered
Natural carbonation
Acohol/ABV: 6.5 degrees
IBU: 55
Production: 450 l
Bubbles: Longish head, very fine bubbles, creamy, white
Color: very deep orange
Aroma: rich, dry and fruity. Oranges, citruses
Taste: very dry and fruity attack.
Complex: oranges, bread, dry honey
Lingers long enough on palate for true tasting before departing on more dry notes of oranges and ever increasing bitterness/acidity after an initial mellow start.
Varies little with food

Overall: splendid bitter ale/American IPA!
Fluctuates with time and sips and keeps surprising you.
Very elegant in spite of its bitterness surging after every sip.
For bitter ale lovers!
Suggested pairings: cold meats, nuts, hamburgers.

Beer Junkie MOTEL

420-0035 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shichiken Cho, 11-5, IMAKKOKO Bldg. 1F
Tel.: 054-253-6558
Opening hours: 18:00~25:00
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 Brewing beers are also available at the mother company’s other restaurant,

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

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

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Italian Cuisine, Restaurants, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Soloio

Italian Gastronomy: Dinner at Soloio in Shizuoka City (June 2016)!

June 29, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

The Team!
Chef Takehiko Katoh/加藤武彦さん/Sommelier Mieko Osawa/小澤三江子さん

Service: Pro and very friendly
Equipment & Facilities: Great overall cleanliness and superb washroom. Entirely non-smoking!
Prices: Reasonable considering the quality
Strong points: Fresh local ingredients whenever possible. Both traditional and inventive Italian cuisine. Good wine list at moderate prices. Open late!

Time goes fast and I hadn’t realized I hadn’t visited my favorite Italian Restaurant in Shizuoka City, namely Soloio, for almost a year!
It certainly was time to make amends and enjoy some classics and new dishes concocted by Chef Takehiko Katoh/加藤武彦さん!

The setting has somewhat changed for even better!

You certainly won’t mind a stiff neck reading out some of the specials of the day overhead!

So, what did we have?

Plenty of wine of course, but we started with a glass of this brilliant sparkling wine: Chardonnay “Le Vacanze” by Cantina d’Autore in the Veneto Region!

Skillet-grilled aubergines/eggplants and duck raw ham salad!

Wild boar (caught in Mikkabi, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture) terrine!
I would come any day just for that!

Shizuoka prefecture madai/seabream carpaccio!
The vegetables include uri/gourd!

Chef Takehiko Katoh/加藤武彦さん creates the best risotto in the whole Prefecture and the above one was no exception with Umbria summer truffles!

Little jewels!

A superb dish not on the menu!
Shizuoka Prefecture tachiuo/scabbard fish (also called cutlass fish) cooked on a skillet with avocado!
A true discovery!

As we still wanted a light dish before the pasta (we have no respect for traditional order! LOL) we consulted the menu of the day again!

Chicken thigh Rotoro/Rolled chicken thigh and stuffed with figs, marinated mushrooms and canederulli in carupione fashion/white-fleshed fish balls!

The pasta!
Spaghetti Bolonese with beef stew sauce!

By that time we were full but just for the fun we had a tiny dessert consisting of very sweet Shizuoka corn grilled on a skillet!

SOLOIO

Chef Takehiko Katoh/加藤武彦さん/Sommelier Mieko Osawa/小澤三江子さん

420-0858 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tenmacho, 9-7, Kita, 1
Tel./fax: 054-260-4637
Business hours:
Lunch: 11:30~13:30 (l.O.) (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)
Dinner: 17:00~22:00 (l.o.), 17:00~23::00 (Friday, Saturday)
Closed on Monday
Credit cards OK
Private parties welcome!
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Bar, Cheese, Peruvian Cheese, Peruvian Cuisine, Restaurant, Shizuoka City

Peruvian Cuisine and Cheese at Fiesta Garcia Beer Bar & Restaurant in Shizuoka City!

June 17, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Ever-smiling and very social
Equipment & Facilities Overall very clean. Excellent washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Peruvian traditional Cuisine. Home-made Peruvian Cheese. Craft beers.

Ima koko Building First Floor Alley in Shichiken Cho, Aoi ku, Shizuoka City is steadily filling up with cozy and small bars and restaurants!

The newest place to move in is “Fiesta Garcia” Beer Bar & Restaurante owned and managed by a Shizuoka City Peruvian citizen going by the name of Fredy Garcia!

A very open and welcoming place indeed!

A small corner of the Andean country!

A smiling skull is looking after you over a small counter!

The place is tiny and every available space is used!

Bottled craft beers from all over the world are in front (and behind) of you!

My beer for this (too short) first visit!

Do have a good look at the drink you!

And have an even longer look at food menu!
There are quite a few unusual things in wait for you!

Now, this is quite unusual, and would be anywhere in Japan because Fredy and his older brother make their own Peruvian-style queso/cheese in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!
Don’t worry, I will soon interview them at work at their dairy!
The above is fresh queso blanco, a bit similar to semi hard cottage cheese cut into wedges and pan-fried on a little oil and served with mayo sauce, hot mayo sauce and yuzu koshio!

And this is even better:
Top, left, queso blanco in queso fredo style/fresh cheese (the same as the fried one).
Top, right, manchego-style cheese processed in a different way and matured for some time.
Bottom left, queso albino where white wine was added to the milk when making the rice and later washed in red wine!
Bottom right, home semi-dried tomatoes!

The menu might be short, but it will give me plenty of reasons to come back and visit my new friend, Fredy Garcia!
Stay tuned!

FIESTA GARCIA Beer bar & Restaurante

Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shichiken Cho, 11-5, Ima Koko Building, 1F
Tel.: 080-6924-3379
Opening hours: 17:00~25:00
15:00~22:00 (Sundays)
Closed on Tuesdays!
HOMEPAGE
FACEBOOK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Craft beers, Japan, Japan Craft Beers, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Craft Beer: Aoi Brewing-Boy Meets Girl Amber Ale

June 11, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

A new very limited craft beer has appeared on tap at Aoi Beer Stand in Shizuoka City.
Originally it is part of a collaboration fora Shziuoka Souvenir Set marketed by Isetan Department Store in Shizuoka City: Boy Meets Girl Amber Ale!

Served on tap
Barley, Maris Otter malt (England), Munich Malt (Germany), Crystal Malt, Black Malt, Tettnang hop (Germany), Challenger hop (England) pale ale yeast yeast, nutmeg, coriander
Unfiltered
Natural carbonation
Acohol/ABV: 5 degrees
IBU: 23
Production: 450 l
Bubbles: Longish head, very fine bubbles, creamy, light brown color
Color: very dark orange
Aroma: pleasant, dry, spicy and very fruity. Nutmeg, honey, bread.
Taste: dry, fruity attack.
Complex: bread, honey, nutmeg.
Lingers long enough on palate for true tasting before departing on an increasingly acid note and more dry bread and honey.

Overall: a craft beer with a lot of character!
Might not please everyone because of its precise taste.
Personally loved it to the point of not needing food to accompany it!
Pity it is a very limited craft beer!
Suggested pairings: pork meats. cold or hot.

Beer Junkie MOTEL

420-0035 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shichiken Cho, 11-5, IMAKKOKO Bldg. 1F
Tel.: 054-253-6558
Opening hours: 18:00~25:00
Closed on Tuesday
Parties welcome
FACEBOOK

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

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Corn, Kan Kan Musume Corn, Kikugawa City, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture Vegetables

“Kan Kan Musume Corn” with Nana Hayakawa & Top Hat Group in Shizuoka City!

June 10, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Top Hat is an agricultural venture led by Mrs. Nana Hayakawa and her husband in Kikugawa City in collaboration with other young farmers in Shimada City and Makinohara City.

Private orders!

In Shizuoka City they already made their names with their “Kan Kan Musume/Sweet Girl” Corn which they sell in front of Ogushi Shrine across from Parco Department Store a few minutes walk from Shizuoka JR Station!

This year they sell their extravagant corn (1000 yen for 5 or 6 depending on size) from 11:00 a.m., until July 19th, but you had better hurry as they will have sold their daily 1,000 ear by lunch time!
The reason of their popularity is simple enough: reliable, traceable and exquisitely tasty products harvested the very morning!

Nana Hayakawa (left) and one of her staff!

They sell their corn from June 4th to July 19th on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays.
They also sell their fresh products in Yaizu City in front of Comeda Coffee Shop Yaizu Inter on Saturdays an Sundays from June 11th to July 10th.

Top Hat also offers:
Lettuce from early November to early May
Tomatoes from early November to early May
Sunny Lettuce from mid October to mid April
Green Leaves from mid October to mid April
Edamame from early June to mid July
Romaine Lettuce from mid October to mid April
Cucumbers from mid June to early Octber
Okra from mid June to mid August
Broccoli from late December to mid May
Green tea all year round

TOP HAT
Tel.: 090-2574-0025
E-mail: taiki2525n@gmail.com
Fax: 0537-36-6666
FACEBOOK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Craft beers, Japan Craft Beers, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Craft Beer: Aoi Brewing-Suruga Elegant Ale (2016 Version)

June 5, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Aoi Brewing’s 2016 version of their Suruga Elegant Ale is at last available on tap!
It is made with Shizuoka-Grown “Ama Natsu” Oranges!

Served on tap
Barley, Maris Otter malt (England), Topaz hop (Australia), Tettnang hop (Germany), French Saison yeast, Ama Natsu oranges
Unfiltered
Natural carbonation
Acohol/ABV: 5 degrees
IBU: 17
Production: 450 l
Bubbles: Longish head, very fine bubbles, creamy, white color
Color: orange
Aroma: sweetish and fruity. Sweetish oranges.
Taste: dry and very fruity attack.
Plenty of oranges. Faint dry honey.
Lingers enough on palate for true tasting before departing on drier notes of oranges.

Overall: a very elegant indeed fruit craft beer!
Purely local at that!
A craft beer for all seasons!
Suggested pairings: mixed nuts, cold pork meats, mixed salads.

Beer Junkie MOTEL

420-0035 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shichiken Cho, 11-5, IMAKKOKO Bldg. 1F
Tel.: 054-253-6558
Opening hours: 18:00~25:00
Closed on Tuesday
Parties welcome
FACEBOOK

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

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Eikun Brewery, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Sake tasting: Eikun Brewery-Eikun Gokugoku Junmai Homarefuji

May 28, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

On Sunday May 22nd, I had the occasion to taste again a nectar by a Shizuoka City brewery, Eikun
On Sunday May 22nd, I had the occasion to taste again a great nectar by Eikun Brewery from Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City, at another famous izakaya in Shizuoka City, Kodarumatei, which took part in the annual Shizuoka De Hashigo Sake event!

Actually the bottle did not bear an official label although all needed information was printed on stickers!

Rice: Homarefuji (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 60%
Yeast: Shizuoka NEW-5
Alcohol: 14 degrees
Dryness: 0
Acidity: 1.4
Bottled in May 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: almost transparent
Aroma: very discreet and dry. Faint bananas and pineapple
Body: fluid
Taste: almost sweet and fruity attack backed up with puissant junmai petillant.
Complex: dry bananas, coffee beans, dark chocolate.
Lingers for quite a while on the palate before departing on notes of dry greens.
Turns dry with food with more notes of greens.
Overall: elegant and almost feminine sake.
Sweeter than Shizuoka standards and so easy to drink.
A sake for all seasons.
Suggested pairings: shrimps and seafood, smoked duck, crab salad.

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Haginishiki Brewery, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Haginishiki Brewery-Haginishiki Minami Alps Tokubetsu Honjozo Nama Genshu

May 26, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

On Sunday May 22nd, I had the occasion to taste for the first time in a long time a nectar by a Shizuoka City brewery, Haginishiki Brewery, at a famous in Shizuoka City, You-to, which took part in the annual Shizuoka De Hashigo Sake event!

It was a rare and very limited sake as You-to as You-to master, Toushirou Yamaguchi, confirmed he barely obtained the last 3 bottles just in time for the event!
It is an “arabashiri” style, meaning the first press unfiltered.

Rice: Biyama Nishiki and Yamada Nishiki
Rice milled down to 55%
Alcohol: 17 degrees
Dryness: + 5
Acidity: 1.4
Bottled in February 2016

Clarity: cloudy (white lees unfiltered) but very clean
Color: almost transparent and whitish when stirred
Aroma: discreet and light. Faint bananas and melons
Body: fluid
Taste: Strong and almost sweetish attack.
Complex: white lees, bananas, melon.
Lingers for a while before departing on a strong white lees note.
Varies little with food.

Overall: both a traditional and extravagant sake in spite of its modest arabashiri status.
Very unusual by Shizuoka Prefecture standards.
For light white lees sake lovers.
Perfect for izakaya cuisine of any genre!
Suggested pairings: Japanese-style banya cauda,

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

sake, Sanwa Brewery, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Sanwa Brewery-Hagoromo no Mai Junmai Ginjo

May 23, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

The other day, while shopping at Cenova Department Store I felt attracted by a old regular nectar by Sanwa Brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City.
Being a 300ml bottle it is very practical for keeping chilled in the fridge in these increasingly warm days!

Although Sanwa Brewery is mostly known now for its Garyubai Label, Hagoromo no Mai/The Light Veil Dance in commemoration of a famous legend occurring on Miho Beach in Shimizu Ku, is still produced after many years of existence.

It is completely different from the Garyubbai labels and I thought it was time to taste this year’s nectar!

Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled in March 2016

Clarity: very clear
Color: golden
Aroma: Assertive, dry and fruity. Pineapple, custard.
Body: fluid
Taste: very dry and strong attack backed with puissant junmai petillant.
Complex: coffee beans, almonds, faint oranges.
Lingers for a short while on the palate before departing on dry notes of smoked almonds and walnuts.
Takes an even drier turn with food with strong notes of smoked nuts.

Overall: strong, solid, old fashioned sake untypical of Shizuoka Prefecture.
Obviously conceived to accompany food, especially heavy izakaya fare.
For traditional dry sake lovers!
Suggested pairings: broiled meats, Nabe/Japanese pot-au-feu, BBQ, blue cheese.

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City, Oomuraya Brewery, sake, Sake Breweries, Shimada City, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Oomuraya Brewery-Wakatake Premium Junmai Daiginjo Genshu Homarefuji (conducted at la Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)

May 8, 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 very special and extravagant sake by Oomuraya Brewery in Shimada City!

Wakatake Premium Junmai Daiginjo Genshu Homarefuji!
This is still the only Junami Daiginjo made with Shziuoka Prefecture-grown Homarefuji sake rice in the whole Prefecture!

It was conceived by Master Brewer Wataru Hibino/日比野哲杜氏!

Rice: Homarefuji (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 40%
Alcohol: 17 degrees
Single pasteurization
Dryness: + 3
Acidity: 1.3
Amino acids: 1.1
Yeast: Shizuoka HD-1
Bottled in April 2016

Clarity: very clear
Color: faint golden hue
Aroma: Assertive and fruity. Lychees, faint pears, melon and banana.
Body: fluid. Slightly sirupy
Taste: Strong, dry and fruity attack backed with beautiful junmai petillant.
Complex: oranges, lychees.
Lingers for a while on the palate before departing on drier notes of oranges and apricots.
Lychees make a constant comeback with every sip.
Very pleasant alcohol but not overwhelming in spite of its high contents. Will actually milder with rise of temperature.

Overall: Extravagant, elegant and really masculine despite its complexity.
Will of course please ladies thanks to its superlative balance in strength and elegance.
A sake which ought to be tasted and enjoyed on its own but if you must absolutely pair it I would recommend blue cheese, chocolate, foie gras or broiled conger eel.
Definitely a high class digestif!
At its best slightly chilled, but beware of its alcohol contents! LOL

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:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City, Oomuraya Brewery, sake, Sake Breweries, Shimada City, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Oomuraya Brewery-Wakatake Junmai Ginjo Homarefuji (conducted at la Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)

April 28, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

On Friday, April 22nd, A special sake tasting party was held at La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, with Master Brewer Wataru Hibino/日比野哲杜氏 who brought four different sake all made with Shizuoka-grown homarefuji sake rice!

The four sake!
All Junmai (that is no pure rice alcohol blended in!)!

Our fourth tasting was a Junmai Ginjai would eventually be called Wakatake Junmai Ginjo!

Rice: Homarefuji (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 55%
Dryness: + 2
Acidity: 1.4
Amino acids: 1.2
Yeast: Shizuoka NEW-5
Alcohol: 16 degrees
Bottled in March 2016

Clarity: very clear
Color: almost transparent
Aroma: Dry and fruity. Banana
Body: fluid
Taste: dry and fruity attack backed up with puissant junmai petillant.
Complex: banana, vanilla, almonds, lychees.
Lingers for a while before departing on notes of sweetish lychees.
Varies little with food but for some oranges.

Overall: Another elegant and intriguing sake!
Would do do well with any vegetable-based food although eminently enjoyable on its own!
Suggested pairings: Shrimps salad, bamboo shoots dishes.

LA SOMMELIERE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City, Oomuraya Brewery, sake, Sake Breweries, Shimada City, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Oomuraya Brewery-“Take No Kaze” Junmai Daiginjo Homarefuji (conducted at la Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)

April 27, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

The four sake!
All Junmai (that is no pure rice alcohol blended in!)!

Our third tasting was Junmai Daiginjo which will be called “Take no Kaze/Wind in the Bamboos” when it is bottled!

Rice: Homarefuji (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 50%
Dryness: + 4
Acidity: 1.2
Amino acids: 1.0
Yeast: Shizuoka NEW-5
Alcohol: 16 degrees
Bottled in April 2016

Clarity: very clear
Color: almost transparent
Aroma: dry and discreet. Pears.
Body: fluid
Taste: very dry and dry fruity attack backed up a little junmai petillant.
Lingers for a little while before departing on drier notes of lychees, and coffee beans.
Turns a little sweetish with food at first but quickly switches back to dryness.

Overall: Intriguing sake.
But a dangerous ones as it slyly entices you to try the next cup and the next cup!
Just superb!
Suggested pairings: light vegetable stews.

LA SOMMELIERE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City, Oomuraya Brewery, sake, Sake Breweries, Shimada City, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Oomuraya Brewery-“Oniotome Koi” Tokubetsu Junmai Nama Homarefuji (conducted at la Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)

April 23, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

The four sake!
All Junmai (that is no pure rice alcohol blended in!)!

Our second tasting was the summer edition of the now famous “Oniotome/The Goblin’s Fiancee” seasonal series called “koi/Falling in Love”!
It is a Tokubetsu Junmai (no pure rice alcohol blended in) Nama (unpasteurized)

Rice : Homarefuji (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 60%
Dryness: + 1
Acidity: 1.4
Amino acids: 1.3
Alcohol: 16 degrees
Yeast: Shizuoka NEW-5
Bottled in March 2016

Clarity: very clear
Color: almost transparent
Aroma: dry and fruity. Banana, vanilla, lychees
Body: fluid
Taste: Dry and fruity attack backed up with pleasant junmai petillant.
Complex: lychees, oranges.
Very soft on the palate.
Lingers for a while before departing on drier notes of oranges.
Tends to get drier with food.

Overall: Another sake for all seasons in spite of the fact it is a summer edition!
Definitely becoming a classic!
Best enjoyed on its own, although it will marry easily with food!
Suggested pairings: Sashimi, vegetable salads.

LA SOMMELIERE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City, Oomuraya Brewery, sake, Sake Breweries, Shimada City, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Oomuraya Brewery-Wakatake Premiun Junmai Daiginjo Genshu Homarefuji (conducted at la Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)

April 23, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

The four sake!
All Junmai (that is no pure rice alcohol blended in!)!

We started with the sake made with Homarefuji rice milled down to 40%!

It is not actually on sale yet but will soon hit the market under the name of Wakatake Premium Junmai Daiginjo!
It is moreover a genshu (no pure water blended in)
Incidentally this is the only Junmai Daiginjo made with Homarefuji Rice in Shizuoka Prefecture!

Rice: Homarefuji (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 40%
Alcohol: 17 degrees
Dryness: + 4
Acidity: 1.2
Amino acids: 1.0
Yeast: Shizuoka NEW-5
Single pasteurization
Bottled in March~April 2016

Clarity: very clear
Color: almost transparent
Aroma: slightly sweet and fruity. Banana, melon, pears, lychees.
Body: fluid
Taste: dry and fruity attack backed with puissant junmai petillant.
Complex: melon, banana, honey.
Lingers for a short while before departing on notes of melon and soft lychees.
Varies little with food but for a drier note.

Overall: very elegant and intriguing sake!
The kind of sake you shouldn’t bother eating food with.
For special occasions only!
Suggested pairings: salads, asparaguses.

LA SOMMELIERE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES