New Store Arrivals – Two Fukushima Brews and Spring Namas
Nagurayama Yokikana “Master’s Touch”
From Fukushima Prefecture. Junmai Ginjo. SMV: -3 Acidity: 1.3
The nose on this very Fukushima Style-like sake is a gentle collection of grape, green apple, and Asian Apple Pear aromas. Welcome to yet another Fukushima sake that drinks like Gold! Fukushima has won more Gold Medals in the past seven years than any other prefecture and this is not by accident. They make very flavorful and expressive brews that appeal to most all sake drinkers. Yokikana is a great example of this style. Look for upfront impact, with a very soft and buoyant middle, followed by a clean and dry finish. There is a sweetness that evolves into a dryness, which is really cool. There are hints of powder sugar, apple, and melon that glide on a slippery and silky fluid that finishes very cleanly. Say hello to Fukushima sip by sip with this Master’s Touch. WORD: Slippery WINE: Pinot Noir/French Chardonnay BEER: Fruity Ales BEER: Shellfish, oysters, sushi, sashimi, grilled fare. $40/720ml
From Fukushima Prefecture. Ginjo. SMV: +4 Acidity: 1.3
The nose on this IWC Grand Champion Sake is a very cool collection of floral, citrus, cherry, honeydew, and raisin aromas. You don’t just win a Gold Medal, Ginjo Trophy, and the overall best sake at the IWC if you’re an average Ginjo sake. Nothing about this brew is average. Look for hints of mineral, grapefruit, strawberry, and honeydew flavors that dance on a bright and silky fluid that finishes clean and quickly. So much flavor that vanishes with a wonderful whisper. How did they do that? When this brew is just released it is crisp and tingly with bright flavors. As it bottle ages the water seems to blend better and it drinks far more smooth and balanced. This is a world class sake at a very great price point. WORD: Grand Champion WINE: Crisp reds/Flinty Whites BEER: Crisp Ales FOODS: Shellfish, oysters, sushi, sashimi, salty and savory fare. $13/300ml $31/720ml
Nechi Otokoyama Yukimizake 2020
From Niigata Prefecture. Tokubetsu Honjozo Nama. SMV: +4 Acidity: 1.8
The nose on this seasonally released unpasteurized sake is a fun collection of green apple, mineral snowmelt, and cut grass aromas. We are very excited to have this awesome sake back in stock, because it drinks like early spring. It is a very clean Nama that is drinks with an elegance and complexity that speaks to those who like to pull subtle flavors in their brews. Clean, light, and dry it has a lot of body for being so pristine. There are flinty and mineral snowmelt-like flavors that have layers of tangerine, grilled lemon, and lemon custard licks that are lively and clean. This special sake brings out the best in seasonally released brews that are fun and fresh, and have an 18% alcohol content that you can’t even taste. WORD: Clean WINE: Soft Reds/ Dry Whites BEER: Light Beer FOODS: Salty, oily, savory grilled fare, fried foods, bar snacks. $40/720ml
From Saga Prefecture. Junmai Ginjo Nama Muroka. SMV: ±0 Acidity: 1.4
Spring just got closer because this seasonally released unpasteurized sake is back on the shelves and thank goodness for that! The nose on this lively brew is a great collection of cherry, grapefruit, blueberry, hay, and freshly steamed rice. Bingo! Talk about a sake that has found its groove. The Shichida Spring’20 is drinking incredibly well, so much balance, so much flavor, and so much fun in your glass. Bright, crisp, and tingly it feels like a nama right off the bat. Then wait for the zesty fruit tones that dance through the palate with a nice full-bodied dry finish. Look for honey, star fruit, green apple, blackberry, and melon flavors that float on an expressive and bright fluid that is so well balanced for being all that! WORD: Delicious WINE: Beaujolais/Frisky Whites BEER: Fruity Crisp Ales FOODS: Meats on a stick, oily fish, international spice, American sushi, comfort food. $46/720ml