Sake, Soju, Plum Wine

Kurosawa Nigori Sake — Nagano, Japan

Kurosawa Brewery has been crafting sake in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture since 1858 — over 160 years of unbroken tradition in one of Japan's most celebrated brewing regions. Nagano's pristine alpine water, cold winters, and clean mountain air create ideal conditions for slow, careful fermentation, and Kurosawa has long been a benchmark for accessible, honest sake that respects both tradition and the modern table.

Nigori — meaning "cloudy" in Japanese — is sake that has been coarsely filtered, leaving fine rice solids suspended in the bottle. The result is a milky, opaque appearance and a texture that is richer and more luscious than clear sake, with a natural sweetness that comes not from added sugar but from the unfermented rice itself. Kurosawa's Nigori is a textbook expression of the style: approachable, generous, and deeply satisfying.

Cloudy ivory in the glass with a soft, creamy pour. The nose is fresh and fruity — ripe pineapple, lychee, and a gentle floral note. On the palate it is smooth and medium-bodied, with a creamy texture, tropical fruit sweetness, and a clean, refreshing finish. Serve well chilled. Delicious on its own, and a natural partner for bold, spicy flavors.

• Brewery: Kurosawa Shuzo, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
• Founded: 1858
• Style: Nigori — Unfiltered, Semi-Sweet
• Region: Nagano, Japan
• ABV: 14.9%
• Size: 720ml
• Tasting Notes: Pineapple, lychee, floral, creamy texture, clean finish
• Best Paired With: Spicy Thai or Chinese dishes, sushi, tempura, mango desserts, soft cheeses

160 years of mountain brewing. One of Japan’s most beloved nigori — creamy, fruity, and endlessly approachable.

Winemaker Description

Herbaceous with hints of grapefruit and a light earthiness. Good acidity, mineral driven, well-balanced with a clean, medium finish. Delicious with tempura, full flavored fish and shellfish, fresh green vegetable dishes, and coconut-based Asian dishes. A flavorful base for stocks and marinades. This versatile sake can be served warmed, room temperature or chilled. It is aged for approximately 6 months to achieve its mellow flavor. 

Simple with aromas of rice and melon.  Serve chilled.

About Nigori Sake

Nigori — meaning "cloudy" in Japanese — is an unfiltered style of sake with a milky-white appearance and characteristically full, smooth palate. Sho Chiku Bai Nigori Silky Mild is crafted by Takara Sake USA in Berkeley, California using traditional Japanese methods, making it one of the most approachable and food-friendly sakes available.

Tasting Notes

• Fruity aromas of ripe banana, vanilla, melon and strawberry
• Creamy sweet rice custard on the palate
• Full, smooth and milky with a gently sweet finish
• Slightly sweeter than Sho Chiku Bai Nigori Crème de Sake

Serving & Food Pairings

• Serve chilled or over ice as a dessert alternative
• Pairs beautifully with spicy dishes — the sweetness tempers heat
• Excellent with sushi, Thai cuisine, or fresh fruit desserts
• Kosher certified — suitable for a wide range of occasions

Product Details

• Producer: Takara Sake USA
• Style: Nigori (Unfiltered Sake)
• Origin: Berkeley, California, USA
• Format: 750ml
• Kosher: Yes

About the Sake

Don’t let the Futsushu (everyday sake) classification fool you — Kirinzan Classic takes the concept of daily sake to new heights. While most breweries focus on showcasing premium ginjo styles, Kirinzan takes immense pride in this entry-level expression, crafting it with the same care and precision as their finest bottles.

Made from Gohyaku Mangoku and Koshi Ibuki sake rice polished to 65% — beyond the requirements for even the premium Honjozo grade — all rice is sourced directly from small farmers in the local agricultural cooperative, none farther than five miles from the brewery. Brewed with soft Niigata mountain water in the house style: dry, clean, light-bodied, and beautifully balanced.

Tasting Notes

Dry and clean with notes of hazelnut and toasted rice, a gentle minerality, and a crisp, refreshing finish. Light-bodied and food-friendly — never competing with a dish, only enhancing it.

Serving

Versatile and approachable — excellent served chilled, at room temperature, or gently warmed (nurukan).

Food Pairing

The ultimate food sake — pairs beautifully with sushi, sashimi, grilled fish, tempura, yakitori, ramen, and izakaya-style dishes.

Product Details

• Producer: Kirinzan Brewery
• Style: Futsushu (Everyday Sake)
• Rice: Gohyaku Mangoku & Koshi Ibuki
• Polishing Ratio: 65%
• Sake Meter Value: +6 (Dry)
• Acidity: 1.3
• ABV: 15–16%
• Region: Niigata Prefecture, Japan
• Format: 720ml

Chitosetsuru Junmai Daiginjo Suisei — Hokkaido, Japan

Nippon Seishu — the brewery behind Chitosetsuru — is one of Hokkaido's most celebrated sake producers, based in Sapporo and dedicated to expressing the unique terroir of Japan's northernmost main island through the art of sake brewing. Hokkaido is a region of exceptional natural resources: pristine soft spring water, cold winters ideal for slow, controlled fermentation, and a growing tradition of cultivating sake-specific rice varieties uniquely suited to the local climate. Chitosetsuru Junmai Daiginjo Suisei is one of the first sakes ever made from Hokkaido's native 'Suisei' rice variety — a local grain with low starch content that allows for a clean, dry sake of excellent structure and remarkable elegance. The rice is milled to 45% of its original size — the hallmark of Junmai Daiginjo, the highest classification in sake — removing the outer layers to reveal the pure, aromatic core of the grain. Fermented with Kyokai #1801 yeast and soft Hokkaido spring water, it is crafted to pair with the abundant seafood of the region: best with simply prepared dishes where the ingredients shine.

The nose is clean and aromatic: light, sweet steamed rice with delicate notes of Muscat and white flowers. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with a creamy texture — refined and precise, with a crisp, structured, dry finish that speaks to the low starch content of the Suisei rice. The quintessential Junmai Daiginjo — clean, elegant, and built for the table.

"This is the quintessential Junmai Daiginjo Sake. Junmai Daiginjo is made from highly polished rice making it clean, aromatic, and delicate. The elegance of this sake is the perfect pairing for light, delicate fish like flounder, red snapper, or sea bass." — Rand Sieger, 67Wine

• Brewery: Nippon Seishu (Chitosetsuru), Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
• Classification: Junmai Daiginjo
• Rice: Suisei — native Hokkaido variety, milled to 45%
• Water: Soft Hokkaido spring water
• Yeast: Kyokai #1801
• Sake Meter Value: −2 (slightly dry)
• Acidity: 1.3
• ABV: 15%
• Size: 720ml
• Tasting Notes: Sweet steamed rice, Muscat, white flowers, creamy texture, crisp dry structured finish
• Serve: Chilled (45–50°F)
• Best Paired With: Flounder, red snapper, sea bass, oysters, sashimi, lightly seasoned seafood, delicate white fish

Hokkaido's native Suisei rice, milled to perfection — Chitosetsuru Junmai Daiginjo is Japan's northernmost terroir in a glass.

Hakurakusei Junmai Ginjo — Miyagi Prefecture, Tohoku, Japan

Niizawa Brewery, founded in 1873 in Miyagi Prefecture in the Tohoku region of northern Japan, is one of the most respected sake producers in the country — and Hakurakusei is their flagship line. The name translates loosely to "white happiness," and the sake lives up to it: a range built around supreme food-friendliness, delicate aromatics, and a clean, precise style that reflects the cold, pure waters and rice-growing traditions of the Tohoku region.

What makes this Junmai Ginjo particularly special is its rice: Kura no Hana, a rare sake rice variety native to Miyagi Prefecture, milled to 55%. Kura no Hana is prized for producing sake of exceptional clarity and elegance — lighter in body than Yamada Nishiki, with a natural affinity for the Ginjo fermentation style. Fermented slowly at low temperatures to develop its characteristic floral and fruity aromatics, this is a sake of quiet sophistication and remarkable versatility at the table.

Crystal clear in the glass. The nose is gentle and inviting — a whisper of banana, white flowers, and fresh citrus. On the palate it is clean and medium-light bodied, with a zippy, citrus-like acidity that keeps it lively and food-friendly from first sip to last. Neither too sweet nor too dry — it bolsters savory cuisine with equal grace as it walks alongside sweeter Japanese nimono dishes. Serve well chilled.

• Brewery: Niizawa Brewery (Hakurakusei), Miyagi Prefecture, Tohoku, Japan
• Founded: 1873
• Style: Junmai Ginjo
• Rice: Kura no Hana (Miyagi), milled to 55%
• Region: Miyagi, Tohoku, Japan
• Size: 720ml
• Tasting Notes: Banana, white flowers, fresh citrus, clean acidity, medium-light body
• Best Paired With: Nimono (Japanese simmered dishes), grilled fish, sushi, tempura, light chicken dishes, soft tofu

Rare Miyagi rice. 150 years of Tohoku brewing. A Junmai Ginjo built for the table — and everything on it.

Sho Chiku Bai Classic Sake — The Traditional Style

Sho Chiku Bai — meaning “pine, bamboo, and plum blossom” in Japanese, symbols of good fortune and longevity — is one of the most recognized sake brands in the world. The Classic is their most traditional expression: a full-bodied, well-balanced sake that honors the centuries-old craft of Japanese brewing.

Smooth and medium-dry with a mild, complex aroma, this sake delivers a hard, crisp texture and a satisfying full body that makes it equally at home at the dinner table or enjoyed on its own. Brewed at a sake meter value of +3, it sits comfortably in the medium-dry range — versatile, approachable, and endlessly food-friendly.

• Brewery: Takara Sake USA / Sho Chiku Bai
• Style: Classic / Traditional Sake
• Size: 750ml
• ABV: 16%
• Sake Meter Value: +3 (Medium Dry)
• Tasting Notes: Mild, complex aroma; smooth, full-bodied, crisp texture
• Kosher: Yes
• Best Served: Room temperature or gently warmed
• Best Paired With: Mildly seasoned dishes, sushi, tempura, grilled fish, light soups

A reliable, everyday sake that delivers traditional Japanese character at an accessible price — perfect for introducing friends to the world of sake.

Kikusui Junmai Sake — Niigata, Japan

Named after a Noh theatre play in which eternal life could be gained by drinking the dew from chrysanthemum petals, Kikusui has carried 130 years of brewing heritage into every bottle. Founded in Niigata Prefecture — Japan’s most celebrated rice-growing region — and home to the Kikusui Sake Research Institute since 2004, this is a brewery that takes its craft seriously.

The Junmai is the purest expression of the brewer’s art: made exclusively from 100% Niigata rice and water, with no added distilled alcohol. The result is a sake of earthy elegance and savory depth — the definitive food sake.

• Aromas: Subdued and earthy — steamed rice, bamboo, dried straw, and a whisper of honeydew melon
• Palate: Medium-bodied and smooth, with roasted nuts, umami-rich grains, and a touch of mineral
• Finish: Crisp and bone-dry — cleanses the palate instantly

• Brewery: Kikusui Sake Co., Niigata, Japan
• Classification: Junmai
• Rice: 100% Niigata Japanese Rice
• Size: 720ml
• ABV: 15%
• Best Served: Chilled, room temperature, or gently warmed — pairs with virtually any cuisine

Warming this sake slightly unlocks its full mellowness and richness — the traditional way to experience Junmai at its best. A versatile, food-friendly sake for every table.

Kinishihai Yukikage ‘Snow Shadow’ Tokubetsu Junmai — Niigata, Japan (300ml)

Kinishihai is brewed in Niigata Prefecture — one of Japan's most revered sake-producing regions, celebrated for its cold winters, pristine snowmelt water, and the distinctive ‘tanrei karakuchi’ style: clean, dry, and refined sake of exceptional elegance and food-friendliness. Yukikage — meaning ‘Snow Shadow’ — is a Tokubetsu Junmai, a special designation within the Junmai category indicating a higher level of rice polishing or a distinctive brewing technique that elevates the sake above the standard. It is crafted from a blend of two local Niigata rice varietals — Gohyaku Mangoku and Koshi Ibuki — both milled to 58% of their original size, removing the outer layers to reveal a cleaner, more refined grain. Fermented with S-3 yeast, which produces a mildly fragrant and clean profile with light earthy qualities, Yukikage is a true expression of the gutsy, grounded Niigata style: smooth, earthy, and built for the table. Uniquely versatile — it is equally compelling served chilled or gently warmed, making it one of the most food-friendly sakes in the glass.

The nose is mildly fragrant and inviting: toasted brown rice, light earthiness, and a clean, grounded character. On the palate, it is smooth and earthy with notes of toasty brown rice and a gentle nuttiness. Chilled, it is a natural companion for sushi, gyoza, and delicate seafood. Gently warmed, it blossoms — the perfect accompaniment for yakitori, grilled salmon, or roasted yellowtail. A sake of genuine versatility and quiet depth.

"A true gutsy Niigata style sake — smooth and earthy, with notes of toasty brown rice. When chilled it makes a great companion for a sushi platter or gyoza dumplings, but when gently warmed it blossoms into the perfect accompaniment for yakitori, grilled salmon or roasted yellowtail." — Kinishihai, Producer

• Brewery: Kinishihai, Niigata Prefecture, Japan
• Classification: Tokubetsu Junmai
• Rice: Gohyaku Mangoku & Koshi Ibuki, milled to 58%
• Yeast: S-3
• Style: Niigata tanrei karakuchi — clean, dry, earthy
• ABV: 15%
• Size: 300ml
• Tasting Notes: Toasted brown rice, light earthiness, smooth, mildly fragrant, nutty finish
• Serve: Chilled (45–50°F) or gently warmed (100–110°F)
• Best Paired With (Chilled): Sushi, gyoza, delicate sashimi, cold tofu
• Best Paired With (Warmed): Yakitori, grilled salmon, roasted yellowtail, miso soup, hearty izakaya dishes

Niigata's snow-country terroir in a 300ml bottle — Kinishihai Yukikage is smooth, earthy, and one of the most versatile sakes on the shelf.

Snow Angel Nigori Sake “Yuki no Tenshi” — Hyogo Prefecture, Japan (180ml Cup)

Yuki no Tenshi — “Snow Angel” in Japanese — is a delicate, silky unfiltered nigori sake from Hyogo Prefecture, the spiritual home of Japan’s finest sake brewing. Brewed with mineral-rich Miyamizu spring water — the legendary water source that has defined Hyogo sake for centuries — and rice polished to 70%, this nigori is crafted with a proprietary yeast and a philosophy of balance: off-dry with a touch of sweetness, but kept elegant at 12.5% ABV. The 180ml cup format makes it the perfect single-serve sake for any occasion — no glass required.

The nose is fragrant and inviting: lily flowers, cantaloupe, and a soft floral sweetness. On the palate, the sake is smooth and creamy with a silky, unfiltered texture and flavors of Muscat grape and fresh strawberry, leading to a long, lingering finish. It is rich and delicious — off-dry enough to stand up to bold, spicy flavors, and refined enough to sip on its own chilled.

“A delicate, silky, unfiltered nigori sake. Off-dry with a touch of sweetness but balanced at 12.5% ABV. Aroma of lily flowers and cantaloupes, smooth and creamy texture, flavors of Muscat grape and strawberries with a lingering finish.”

• Producer: Yuki no Tenshi (Snow Angel), Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
• Style: Nigori (unfiltered) sake
• Prefecture: Hyogo
• Water: Miyamizu mineral-rich spring water
• Rice Polishing: 70% (Seimai-buai)
• ABV: 12.5%
• SMV: -20 (off-dry)
• Acidity: 1.4
• Size: 180ml cup
• Best Served: Well chilled; pairs with spicy foods, BBQ, curries, sushi, and even ice cream

A silky, off-dry Hyogo nigori brewed with legendary Miyamizu water — Snow Angel is the benchmark for what approachable, food-friendly unfiltered sake can deliver in a single-serve cup.

Winemaker Description 

Golden yellow. Honey on the nose. Sweet honey, almond and stoney fruit flavors with nice acidity. On the rocks, with club soda, gin or in your favorite tea. 

Kiku Masamune Taru Junmai Sake 720ml - Premium Cedar-Aged Japanese Sake

Experience the unique character of Kiku Masamune Taru Junmai Sake, a distinctive Japanese sake aged in traditional cedar casks. This premium Junmai-grade sake combines centuries-old brewing traditions with the aromatic essence of high-quality Japanese cedar, creating a crisp, dry sake with elegant complexity and a refreshing finish.

Why Choose Kiku Masamune Taru Junmai Sake?

• Cedar-Aged Tradition: Stored in casks made from premium Japanese cedar (sugi) for distinctive woody aromatics
• Junmai Grade: Pure rice sake with no added alcohol - authentic and traditional
• Crisp & Dry: Clean, refreshing character with elegant balance
• Versatile Pairing: Perfect with sushi, sashimi, grilled fish, and Japanese cuisine
• Elegant Presentation: Presented in a sophisticated frosted glass bottle

Tasting Profile

This silky smooth sake offers a crisp, dry flavor profile enhanced by the pleasant hint of Japanese cedar. The palate is full yet elegant, with a clean and refreshing aftertaste that makes it incredibly food-friendly. The cedar aging adds subtle woody notes and aromatic complexity without overwhelming the sake's natural rice character.

Perfect Food Pairings

Kiku Masamune Taru Junmai Sake pairs beautifully with:

• Fresh sushi and sashimi
• Grilled yakitori and teriyaki dishes
• Tempura vegetables and seafood
• Miso-glazed fish or tofu
• Aged cheeses and charcuterie
• Cedar-plank grilled salmon

About Taru Sake

Taru sake is a traditional style of Japanese sake aged in cedar casks, imparting subtle woody aromatics and a unique character. This ancient method dates back centuries when sake was commonly stored and transported in cedar barrels. The cedar's natural oils gently infuse the sake, creating a distinctive flavor profile prized by sake connoisseurs.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy chilled (45-50°F) to appreciate the crisp, refreshing character and cedar aromatics. Can also be served at room temperature (68-72°F) to bring out fuller, rounder flavors. Serve in traditional ochoko cups or wine glasses to capture the aromatic complexity.

About Kiku Masamune Brewery

Founded in 1659, Kiku Masamune is one of Japan's most respected sake breweries, with over 360 years of brewing excellence. Located in Nada, the premier sake-producing region of Japan, Kiku Masamune combines traditional craftsmanship with modern precision to create exceptional sake.

Winemaker Description 

Made with yeast extracted from the Sanuki olive native to the region, this hyperlocal sake showcases the best of Kagawa in a one-of-a-kind bottling.

Juicy notes of musk melon, white flowers and green pear with hints of starfruit, grass and salinity.

Try with salad with carrot ginger dressing, coconut crab curry or spring pea & mint gazpacho. 

Our Professional Review

A unique expression of sake made with olive yeast.  Beautiful white fruits and floral notes backed by lovely herbal and savory notes.

Toyo Bijin Junmai Ginjo — Yamaguchi Prefecture, Chugoku, Japan

Toyo Bijin — “Asian Beauty” — is one of Japan’s most evocatively named sakes, and the story behind it is as memorable as the sake itself. Sumikawa Brewing Company, based in Yamaguchi Prefecture in the Chugoku region of western Japan, was founded by a brewer who named his label in honor of his late wife — a tribute that has since become one of the most recognized and beloved sake brands in the country.

This Junmai Ginjo is brewed from Yamada Nishiki rice — the gold standard of sake rice — and fermented in the Ginjo style at low temperatures. But where many Ginjo sakes lean toward delicate and floral, Toyo Bijin takes a bolder path: this is a very dry sake, famously described as “strong enough to kill a devil.” Assertive, umami-rich, and deeply satisfying.

Clear and luminous in the glass. The nose opens with red apple and a fading whisper of nutmeg spice. On the palate it is full-flavored and bone dry, with a firm structure, pronounced umami, and a long, clean finish. Serve chilled.

• Brewery: Sumikawa Brewing Company, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Chugoku, Japan
• Style: Junmai Ginjo
• Rice: Yamada Nishiki
• Size: 300ml
• Tasting Notes: Red apple, nutmeg spice, pronounced umami, bone-dry finish
• Best Paired With: Yakitori, sashimi, aged cheeses, miso soup, oysters

Named for a beloved wife. Brewed with conviction. A sake bold enough to kill a devil — and elegant enough to honor her memory.

Rand Sieger, 67Wine: This is a heady sake with deep, rich umami flavors and bright acidity, perfect for matching the richness of fatty fish like otoro, salmon, or mackerel.  The honjozo style relies on the addition of a small amount of brewer's alcohol to create a smoother, lighter sake with heightened aromatic complexity.

Winemaker Description 

Are you always on the lookout for the next delicious dessert wine to accompany your meals? Our 750ml plum drink variety could not be a better choice! With all the distinctive flavors you look for in a fruit-flavored sake, our sweet KOSHU Plum sake finishes off dinner with a taste to remember. You can serve it cold at the end of the meal, or try one as a drink right before you dig into your dinner. Either way, you get a refreshing beverage your guests will ask for again and again.

Intense, appetizing aromas of candied plum and cherry. The palate is sweet, but not cloying, with concentrated flavors of plum, black cherry and almond, and a lingering finish.

The KOSHU PLUM is a decadent, complex plum 'sake', ideal as an aperitif or dessert drink.

Winemaker Description 

Kurokame Is A Surprising Imo Shochu Made With 'Purple' Satsuma Sweet Potatoes. These Potatoes Have A Robust Reddish Purple Skin, But Are A Pale Yellow Inside. It Is Distilled Traditionally In Earthen Pots (Kame) Using Black Koji (Kuro Koji). Thus The Name, Kurokame ? 

Or Black Stone Pot.

Kurokame Has A Surprisingly Neutral Nose. Imos Tend To Smell Like Fresh Dirt In A Good Way. This Imo Smells More Subtle. Almost A Roasted Essence. The Initial Palate Is Spicy With A Rich Sweetness. And Then The Roast Hits. A Roasted Wheat Flavor. The Roast Holds Along With A Hint Of Sweet Spiciness Throughout the Finish.

Producer Description 

Junmai Ginjo (at least 40% of rice grain polished away). This vibrant showstopper is beautifully soft and feminine, brewed by one of Japan's only female brewery owners and tojis. Brewed in Hiroshima, the birthplace of Ginjo sake, which is known for remarkably soft water that requires expert skill to use in sake production. Once mastered, it enables a highly controlled, precise fermentation, resulting in vibrant fruit aromas. This Junmai Ginjo is bottled immediately without charcoal filtering.

A fruity nose of lime and melon with bold hints of fennel, white pepper and allspice. The flavors gravitate to ripe cantaloupe and anise while the minerality from the soft water is evident in the finish.

A natural match for sweet, succulent shellfish like lobster and scallops, but surprising pairings like bittersweet chocolate work, too.

Rich, elegant, and deeply aromatic, the Kozaemon Junmai Umeshu is a premium Japanese plum liqueur crafted with exceptional care at the historic Nakashima Brewery in Gifu Prefecture. Made from sun-ripened ume plums sourced from Wakayama — Japan's most celebrated ume-growing region — and steeped in Kozaemon's own Junmai sake, this is umeshu at its most refined: complex, balanced, and unmistakably Japanese.

Kozaemon & Nakashima Brewery

Founded in 1702 in Minokamo, Gifu Prefecture, Nakashima Brewery is one of Japan's most respected sake producers. The Kozaemon label represents their finest expressions — crafted using traditional techniques, locally sourced Hida Minori rice, and the pure soft waters of the Hida River. Their Junmai Umeshu applies this same philosophy to Japan's beloved plum liqueur tradition, using their own sake as the base rather than the more common shochu or neutral spirit.

Tasting Profile

Deep amber with a luminous clarity. The nose is intensely aromatic — ripe ume plum, apricot, and a gentle floral sweetness with hints of almond. On the palate it's luscious and full-bodied with bright natural acidity cutting through the sweetness, layers of ripe stone fruit, and a long, warming finish. Beautifully balanced between sweet and tart, rich and refreshing.

Producer

Nakashima Brewery (Kozaemon), Minokamo, Gifu Prefecture

Base

Junmai Sake

Ume Source

Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

Country

Japan

Format

500ml

What is Umeshu?

Umeshu is a traditional Japanese liqueur made by steeping ume — a stone fruit related to both plum and apricot — in alcohol with sugar. While most commercial umeshu uses shochu or neutral spirits as the base, premium producers like Kozaemon use sake, adding a layer of grain complexity and umami depth that elevates the liqueur far beyond the ordinary. The result is a drink of genuine sophistication.

Perfect Pairings & Serving

Serve chilled, on the rocks, or with sparkling water as a refreshing highball. Pairs beautifully with Japanese cuisine — sushi, yakitori, tempura — as well as soft cheeses, foie gras, and fruit-based desserts. Also exceptional as a digestif or aperitif.

Producer Description 

Dreamlike mist in a glass graced with aromas of white flower, pear, and anise. Silky texture with a citrus fruitiness heightened by a delicate effervescence.

Winemaker Description 

This gentle Yuzushu from Kochi Prefecture offers a splendid nose of lemon peel, honey, fresh lemonade, elderflower, and sugar aromas, capturing an elegant and refined essence.

Producer Description 

Chiyonosono's Sacred Power was crafted with Kyushu Shinriki rice (their own house-cultivated variety) and Kumamoto yeast. The Seimaibuai value is 55%, meaning 45% of the grain was polished away. 

This is a rich, mellow, full-flavored sake with aromas of hay, lemongrass and tropical fruits. On the silky palate, those fruits couple with accents of saline and savory umami flavors, finishing with uplifting brightness and acidity. Enjoy with selections from the raw bar, sushi and sautéed greens and veggies.

Producer Descrption 

This Junmai Ginjo is made from Dewasansan rice, a descendant of the iconic Omachi heirloom strain. This rice is exclusively grown in Yamagata prefecture and helped to pave the way for Yamagata to receive the first geographical indication (GI), or appellation, in all of Japan.

Grassy, floral aromas with green apple and melon. The finish is soft and smooth.

An excellent pairing with teriyaki salmon, sauteed snow pea shoots or maple glazed ham.

Mio Sparkling Sake — Japan

Mio is Japan’s most celebrated sparkling sake — a playful, elegant alternative to Champagne or Prosecco that has captivated sake lovers and wine drinkers alike. Produced by Takara Shuzo, one of Japan’s most storied breweries, Mio (meaning “beautiful cherry blossom”) is as visually stunning as it is delicious.

Delicate fine bubbles carry aromas of honeydew melon, lemongrass, and ripe peach to the nose. On the palate, it’s refreshingly sweet with a light, airy texture and a clean, crisp finish — not cloying, just perfectly balanced. The low alcohol and gentle sweetness make it incredibly versatile at the table.

• Brewery: Takara Shuzo, Japan
• Style: Sparkling Sake
• Size: 300ml
• ABV: 5%
• Tasting Notes: Honeydew melon, lemongrass, ripe peach, fine bubbles, clean finish
• Best Served: Well chilled — as an aperitif, with dessert, or as a Champagne alternative
• Best Paired With: Spicy rolls, fruit-based sushi, light appetizers, fresh fruit desserts

The 300ml bottle is perfect for solo celebrations or as a unique gift — pop it open whenever the moment calls for something a little special.

Producer Descrption 

Local, all-natural aodani plums are soaked in Tozai sake for over three months resulting in an incredibly balanced sake with tart, juicy acidity on the finish. Plum blossoms are known as "The Flowers of Peace" in Japan and symbolize growth, renewal, and awakening.

Aromas of almond and marzipan followed by plum, apricot, and cherry on the palate. The soft tartness and acidity balance the finish with a slightly sweet smoothness.
Pair with pulled pork, glazed salmon, or desserts like peach cobbler. 

Producer Description 

This savory sake is inspired by local legends of Niigata's annual fox-bride festival. Local lore tells of mysterious lights that appeared on nearby Mt. Kirin in the distant past, which are claimed to be the lanterns carried in the fox-bride procession. With a 50% polishing rate, this sake could technically qualify as a Junmai Daiginjo, but the savory notes and food pairing versatility identify more with the style expected from Junmai 

Intense aromas of grilled nuts, pistachio, and a hint of white chocolate. Ripe honeydew notes finish crisp with a hint of lingering sweetness.

One of the best meat pairings in the portfolio. Try with duck, fig-stuffed pork loin, or black cod with miso glaze.

Winemaker Description 

This sparkling was made with an in-bottle secondary fermentation process without any added sugar. It is well-balanced with a pleasant sweetness derived from rice and refreshing sharpness from the fizz.  

Tasting Notes: A fruity aroma reminiscent of green apples and Japanese 'Wagashi' treats. Some sweetness, moderate fizziness, and a refreshing crisp finish Highest Grade | Junmai-Daiginjo Nigori sake Best Served: Chilled, 41 degree F (5°C) or below.

Memo Summary Notes

The Dassai Blue 50 Sparkling Nigori is a standout release from the Dassai Blue brewery in Hyde Park, New York. This sake represents a major milestone for the brand, as it is the first sparkling cloudy sake they have produced entirely in the United States using traditional Japanese methods.

Little Sumo Junmai Genshu — Hyogo Prefecture, Japan (200ml Cup)

Little Sumo is brewed in Hyogo Prefecture — Japan's most celebrated sake-producing region and home to the legendary Nada district, where the mineral-rich 'Miyamizu' spring water has been the foundation of Japan's finest sake for centuries. Miyamizu — literally 'shrine water' — is prized for its high mineral content, which promotes vigorous fermentation and produces sake of exceptional richness, structure, and depth. Little Sumo is a Junmai Genshu — a pure rice sake (no added alcohol) bottled undiluted at full fermentation strength, giving it a robust 18% ABV and a stout, rich character that packs an extraordinary amount of flavor into a small package. The rice is polished to 70%, retaining more of the grain's natural richness and contributing to the sake's full, textured mouthfeel. Fermented with proprietary yeast and Miyamizu spring water, it strikes a compelling balance between sweet and dry — fruity, nutty, and built for food.

The nose is inviting and expressive: aromas of melon and plum with a rich, generous character. On the palate, it is full-textured and layered — Asian pear, banana, and almonds, balanced between sweet and dry with a satisfying nuttiness on the finish. Stout, rich, and punchy — it truly packs a lot into a small package. Best served chilled at 45–50°F.

"Aromas of melon and plum, and rich texture with flavors of Asian pear, banana and almonds. Balanced between sweet and dry with elements of fruit and nuttiness. Packs a lot in a small package!" — Little Sumo, Producer

• Brewery: Little Sumo, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
• Classification: Junmai Genshu (undiluted, no added alcohol)
• Prefecture: Hyogo
• Rice: Polished to 70%
• Water: Miyamizu mineral-rich spring water
• Yeast: Proprietary
• Sake Meter Value: +6.0 (dry)
• Acidity: 1.4
• ABV: 18%
• Size: 200ml (cup)
• Tasting Notes: Melon, plum, Asian pear, banana, almonds, rich texture, sweet-dry balance, nutty finish
• Serve: Chilled (45–50°F)
• Best Paired With: Yakitori, Korean BBQ, fatty sashimi, gyoza, grilled meats, izakaya dishes

Hyogo's legendary Miyamizu water in a cup-size package — Little Sumo Junmai Genshu is rich, punchy, and one of the most fun sakes on the shelf.

Jokigen Junmai Sake Green Label — Yamagata Prefecture, Japan

Sakata Shuzo has been brewing sake in Yamagata Prefecture — in the Tohoku region of northern Japan — for generations, drawing on the soft, mineral-pure waters of Sakata and the cold mountain climate that makes Yamagata one of Japan’s most celebrated sake-producing regions. The brewery’s Jokigen label (“good mood” in Japanese) is a fitting name for a sake built around pleasure, generosity, and the kind of fruit-forward character that makes it as welcome at the casual table as at the considered dinner.

The Green Label Junmai is brewed from Hyogo-grown Yamada Nishiki rice — the undisputed king of sake rice — milled to 70% and fermented with Jokigen’s proprietary house yeast. Yamada Nishiki is prized for its large grain size, low protein content, and exceptional ability to develop glossy texture and tropical fruit character during fermentation. At SMV +2, this is technically dry, but the lush, fruity aromatics and medium-full body give it a richness and generosity that belies the numbers. An atypically fruity Junmai — and all the better for it.

Clear and bright in the glass. The nose is vibrant and inviting — fresh toasted grains, lush tropical fruit, and a lift of muscat grape. On the palate it is medium-full bodied with a beautiful glossy texture, flavors of fresh apple, muscat, and ripe stone fruit, and a soft but dry finish that keeps it food-friendly and endlessly sippable. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

• Brewery: Sakata Shuzo, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
• Style: Junmai
• Rice: Yamada Nishiki (Hyogo), milled to 70%
• Yeast: Jokigen House Yeast
• Water: Sakata Soft Water
• Sake Meter Value (SMV): +2 (dry)
• Acidity: 1.6
• ABV: 15%
• Size: 720ml
• Tasting Notes: Toasted grains, tropical fruit, fresh apple, muscat grape, glossy texture, soft dry finish
• Best Paired With: Grilled fatty salmon, roast chicken, Thai red curry, yakitori, miso-glazed vegetables

Yamada Nishiki rice. Yamagata soft water. A Junmai that rewrites what “dry” can taste like.

Winemaker Description 

If you've ever encountered a "warm sake" skeptic, heat up a bottle of this Kenbishi "Kuromatsu" and prove to them that warm sake can be one of life's greatest pleasures. With the right amount of heat (around 104°F), hints of cashews, rice, caramel emerge. This 180ml bottle is designed especially for the microwave – remove the cap and heat for 20 seconds.

One cup sakes were first introduced during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and are perfect for taking on a picnic, a game, or alongside takeout.

Gyokusendo Shuzo Mukade Nigori Ginjo — Gifu, Japan

Gyokusendo Shuzo is a small, artisan brewery nestled in Gifu Prefecture, in the heart of the Japanese Alps. The brewery draws its water from the legendary springs of the Yoro Mountains — a source celebrated for centuries for its exceptional purity and soft mineral character, long considered among the finest brewing waters in Japan. It is this water, combined with locally grown rice milled to 50% and the delicate Ginjo fermentation process, that defines the Mukade style: refined, aromatic, and unlike any nigori you have encountered before.

Nigori sake is unfiltered, allowing fine rice sediment to remain in the bottle — giving it a characteristic milky appearance, a silky texture, and a gentle richness that sets it apart from clear sake. The Mukade Nigori Ginjo takes this tradition and elevates it: fermented at low temperatures with Yeast 601 to develop the floral, fruity Ginjo aromatics, then left unfiltered to preserve its natural texture and depth. The result is a sake that is simultaneously elegant and indulgent — dry on the finish, yet lush and enveloping on the palate.

Cloudy and luminous in the glass, with a soft ivory hue. The nose is delicate and floral — white peach, lychee, rice blossom, and a whisper of cream. On the palate it is silky and medium-bodied, with a gentle sweetness that gives way to a clean, dry finish. The Yoro mountain water is felt throughout: soft, pure, and seamlessly integrated. A sake that rewards both the curious newcomer and the seasoned enthusiast.

• Brewery: Gyokusendo Shuzo, Gifu Prefecture, Japan
• Style: Nigori Ginjo — Unfiltered, Dry
• Rice: Locally grown, milled to 50%
• Yeast: 601
• Sake Meter Value (SMV): –10
• Acidity: 1.5
• ABV: 14%
• Size: 720ml
• Tasting Notes: White peach, lychee, rice blossom, cream, silky texture, dry finish
• Best Paired With: Tebasaki barbecue chicken wings, spicy red curries, tempura, soft cheeses, oysters

Yoro mountain water. Ginjo precision. Nigori soul. Sake at its most quietly extraordinary.

Brewery: Nippon Seishu • Prefecture: Hokkaido  • Rice: ‘Suisei– local Hokkaido rice milled to 45% • Water: Soft spring water • Yeast: Kyokai #1801 • Sake Meter Value: – 2 • Acidity: 1.3 • ABV: 15%  

• One of the first sake made from Hokkaido’s native ‘Suisei’ rice variety. Low starch content allows for clean and dry sake with excellent structure.
• Light aromas of sweet steamed rice, medium bodied, creamy texture with light notes of Muscat, finishes crisp and structured.
  
• Meant to pair with the abundant seafood local to Hokkaido. Best with simply prepared dishes where ingredients shine instead of heavily seasoned cuisine.

Jokigen Junmai Ginjo “Red Label” — Sakata Shuzo, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan (720ml)

Jokigen — meaning “good mood” in Japanese — is the flagship sake of Sakata Shuzo, a celebrated brewery in Yamagata Prefecture known for producing some of Japan’s most expressive and food-friendly sake. The Red Label Junmai Ginjo is built on a foundation of Oyama Nishiki rice — a specially developed sake rice created by a group of Toyama farmers who chose Sakata Shuzo as the brewery best equipped to unlock its full potential. Milled to 55%, brewed with Jokigen’s proprietary house yeast and Sakata’s famously soft local water, the result is a classically fruity Junmai Ginjo with a subtle savory quality that sets it apart from sweeter expressions of the style. A model of the Yamagata school: layered, balanced, and deeply satisfying.

The nose opens with fresh pear, cherry blossom, and ripe apple — bright and inviting. On the palate, the sake is medium-bodied and elegant with bold notes of stewed black cherry, orange zest, and a clean savory finish that lingers with quiet complexity. At 16% ABV with a near-neutral SMV of +1 and acidity of 1.5, it is dry enough to pair with rich, umami-forward dishes while remaining approachable and pleasurable on its own.

“The Jokigen is a model Junmai Ginjo, with bold notes of cherry and apple balanced by savory undertones. Classic Yamagata style with its subtle layers of fruit and light sweetness. Made from specially grown Oyama Nishiki developed by a group of Toyama rice farmers looking to develop the ultimate sake rice.”

• Brewery: Sakata Shuzo, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
• Style: Junmai Ginjo
• Rice: Oyama Nishiki, milled to 55%
• Yeast: Jokigen House Yeast
• Water: Sakata Soft Water
• SMV: +1 (near-dry)
• Acidity: 1.5
• ABV: 16%
• Size: 720ml
• Best Paired With: Grilled duck breast, miso-marinated black cod, maguro sashimi, richer seafood and umami-forward dishes

A model Yamagata Junmai Ginjo from one of Japan’s most respected sake breweries — Jokigen Red Label is the benchmark for what Oyama Nishiki rice, brewed with precision and purpose, can deliver in a glass of sake.

Winemaker Description 

Delicate and nuanced, this autumnal release from Kozaemon sees a period of aging over summer before its release, yielding a sake with subtle maturity and refinement. A natural pairing for all specialties of autumn like squash and slow braised meat.

Producer Description 

This sake is a reflection of the brewery's director Masahiko Touda, who dubs himself a fungi maniac. His goal was to brew a sake that would pair with mushrooms. Notes of dried apricot, orange rind, and sweet miso enhances the earthy, deep flavors in the Kinoko Parcel.

We enjoy this sake at room temperature in a wine glass to enjoy its fruitier aromas, and warm in a guinomi to take in the more savory flavors. Touda-san hunts for mushrooms all year, exclaiming, “In Japan, mushrooms can be found throughout the year and are part of our nature and life. May the Fungi be with you!"