Nama Drop – The Last of the Summer Namas Flights
Heiwa Shuzo KID Natsu no Shippu "Summer's Strong Wind" 2022
From Wakayama Prefecture. Junmai Ginjo Nama. SMV: +4 Acidity: 1.8
The nose on this summer released unpasteurized sake has a vivid collection of young cantaloupe, green apple, peppermint, straw, grape, and fennel pollen aromas. The name of the sake is Summer's Strong Winds and we feel this breeze would appeal to wine drinkers very much as there is an elevated and tantalizing acidity play. Tight, compact, crisp, soft, with a mineral water component this brew is alive in the palate. Look for young fruit tones of melon, peach, pear, and crisp apple; there is a cool Asian pear and mint dance with a very subtle starch vein of mountain potato. Say hello to a sake term called "Shibumi" which is like the astringency of the brew that dries up the palate. Wine drinkers take note of this summer blast! WORD: Crisp WINE: Tight Reds/Crisp Whites BEER: Crisp Ales FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, oysters, summer shellfish, crab salad, grilled chicken, salty, savory, and smoked fare. $39/720ml
Tsukasabotan Senchu Hassaku Reika 2022
From Kochi Prefecture. Junmai Nama. SMV: +8 Acidity: 1.6
This seasonally released summer Nama has a great nose filled with apple, grape, blueberry, anise, melon, and grape popsicle aromas. Wow! We love this year's Reika so much. Juicy, fruity, but with an overall dryness and a laser fast finish it drinks like summer feels. It's lively, but not brisk. Rather it has a slippery and viscous feeling with a gentle acidity that is like a full-bodied dry brew with lots of umami goodness and an overall controlled and balanced texture. Look for fleshy apples, cooked pear, fresh mint, mineral water, rock candy, melon, and a gentle white pepper departure. It has such a great body, which makes it best for the umami dance in each glass. The brewers hit this one out of the park! WORD: Slippery WINE: Beaujolais/Flinty Whites BEER: Round Ales FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, grilled fare, Yakitori, fish carpaccio, and shabu shabu. $44/720ml
From Hokkaido Prefecture. Tokubetsu Junmai. SMV: +2 Acidity: 1.4
The nose on this seasonally released unpasteurized sake is a cool collection of Asian Pear, guava, powdered sugar, melon, apple, and snowmelt aromas. Smooth, dry, compact, and clean this brew drinks summer crisp and summer easy. Extremely well balanced and more on the dry side there are a lot of flavors with a short and clean finish. Look for yellow apple, lime, SweeTarts, corn, snow melt, green grasses, and lemon ice flavors that flow on a soft and smooth fluid. This sake is extremely drinkable and some would say refreshing and it's perfect for the pool party or the picnic. And how cool is that label? Chilled out of a white glass and let's get summer going! WORD: Clean WINE: Dry Reds/Crisp Whites BEER: Crisp Ales FOODS: Picnic fare, shellfish, oysters, fare with citrus hints, sushi, sashimi, and grilled chicken. $34/720ml
From Fukuoka Prefecture. Junmai Ginjo Nama. SMV: ±0 Acidity: N/A
The nose on this seasonally released unpasteurized "misty" sake has a gentle nose filled with floral, sugar, flan, steamed rice, Asian pear, and snowball aromas. Here it is! Perhaps the most Summer-y of the Summer released Nama sake that drinks like a refreshing dream. Fresh, soft, gentle, silky, and misty this brew is as drinkable as sake can drink. Look for powder sugar, cakes, ripe peach, pear juice, mango, rock candy, and sweet rice flavors that glide through the palate. There is a tickle of green apple, sticky rice, and frosting as the fluid warms in the glass, but chilled is where this bird flies. WORD: Refreshing WINE: Fruity Reds/Silky Whites BEER: Fruity Ales FOODS: Crab, lobster, oysters, shrimp, grilled white fish, fresh fruits and cheeses. $35/720ml
Seikyo Omachi "Mirror of Truth" 2022
From Hiroshima Prefecture. Junmai Ginjo Nama. SMV: +3 Acidity: 1.5
The nose on this seasonally released unpasteurized sake is a great collection of watermelon, grape, apple, pear, mango, kale, and citrus aromas. Made with Omachi brewing rice this popular Nama is drinking a little more light and gentle than releases past. Semi-thick, round, soft, clean, smooth and light look for an array of flavors such as watermelon, apple, mango, fruit custard, Clementine, and lemon lime soda. There is a pretty cool hidden savory layer that might be the Omachi with a slightly peppery finish. A good brew to pair with your light and refreshing summer dishes. WORD: Soft WINE: Gentle Reds/Light Whites BEER: Light Beer FOODS: Subtle seafood, clean grilled items, oysters with lemon, and salads. $34/720ml
Denshin Natsu Summer 2022
From Fukui Prefecture. Junmai Daiginjo Nama. SMV: N/A Acidity: N/A
The nose on this seasonally released summer unpasteurized sake is a cool collection of cherry, grape, strawberry, mineral, and cut grass aromas. Say hello to a fan-favorite plump and juicy nama Daiginjo that is viscous and meaningful, with loads and flavors and feelings. Look for plum, pear, mango, strawberry, peach, pineapple, apple juice, and grape flavors on a lush flow that is fresh and full. Elegant, fruity, and rich, this brew is a wonder sake that takes rice and water to new flavor heights. Cool packaging and very cool sake. WORD: Fruity WINE: Fruity reds/Plump whites BEER: Fat ales FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, crab, lobster, rich seafoods, cheese plates, and Champagne fare.
Gasanryu Asagao "Morning Glory"
From Yamagata Prefecture. Junmai Ginjo Namazume. SMV: ±0 Acidity: 1.5
The nose on this seasonally released summer single-pasteurized sake is a mild collection of peach, Asian pear, hay, and salt water aromas. This is a very summery nama that is clean, light, very drinkable, and reminds us that rice is nice! Soft, gentle, semi-rich, and dry, there is a purity to this brew that is very refreshing. Look for white peach, white chocolate, mango custard, and rice cake flavors that roll on a ricey nama flow. Made with Tamanae rice varietal milled to 60%, this sake has a sneaky richness and might be appealing to dry red wine fans. Makes for an excellent summer party gift-giving brew. WORD: Light WINE: Gentle reds/Flinty whites BEER: Light Beer FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, oysters, grilled fare, summer pool party fare. $34/720ml