New Store Arrivals – Denshin, Heiwa, Shichi Hon Yari, Iwate Meijo, Izumibashi
Denshin Haru "Spring" 2021
From Fukui Prefecture. Junmai Ginjo Nama. SMV: NA Acidity: NA
The nose on this extremely popular seasonal released Spring Nama is a nice collection of peach, melon, bubblegum, sugar, persimmon, and guava aromas. Chewy, chunky, fun and bright this brew is always the life of the party. It's rich and fruity but not cloying sweet, with a nice acidity and shibumi play. Look for apple, strawberry, pear, mango, grapefruit, and powdered sugar flavors. Always fun to remember that you're drinking a "living" brew that is only made with rice and water. How do you get all of those fruit flavors? That's the awesome mystery of sake, which is made all the more amazing as this brew has a dry finish. A fan favorite for a very good reason. WORD: Fruity WINE: Beaujolais BEER: Fruity Ales FOODS: International Spice, poolside fare, picnic fare, summer BBQ. $29/720ml
Heiwa Shuzo KID Haru no Kunpu "Spring Breeze"
From Wakayama Prefecture. Junmai Ginjo Nama. SMV: ±0 Acidity: 1.7
The nose on this new to the US unpasteurized brew is a cool collection of strawberry, pear, watermelon, honeydew, floral, and sweet rice aromas. Yes! An excellent new addition to the Nama market that is bright, fresh, juicy, and tingly with a clean and crisp finish. Get your flavor scorecard out and start checking off these boxes for peach, tangerine, crisp apple, young pear, grapefruit, persimmon, and cranberries. A larger glass brings forth more acidity and makes it fun and frisky and appealing to white wine drinkers. A very fun Nama that is flavorful and fresh that is joyous with good fruit tones and a quick crisp finish. It's name is "Spring Breeze" and that's how this cool brew drinks. WORD: Fresh WINE: Zesty Reds/Crisp Whites BEER: Crisp Ales FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, crab, lobster, ceviche, grilled fish, tempura. $36/720ml
Shichi Hon Yari "The Seven Spearsmen" 2021
From Shiga Prefecture. Junmai Nama. SMV: +3.5 Acidity: 2.0
The nose on this spring released seasonal sake is a unique collection of candy apple, ripe apple, steamed rice, and butterscotch aromas. Say hello to a gentle and even-keeled Nama that has an 18% alcohol content, but you would never know it. Smooth, round, semi thick and semi rich, this brew drinks juicy with a clever water play that bobbles in the palate. Look for hints of sweet rice, mango, ripe melon, apple, cherry, peach, and a tickle of citrus flavors with a gentle mineral finish. There is a touch of herbaceous qualities that drink grassy and green. All in all a very mellow Nama that is welcoming and fresh. WORD: Mellow WINE: Soft reds/Grassy Whites BEER: Light Ales FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, clean white fish dishes, chicken, grilled veggies, steamed clams. $39/720ml
Iwate Meijo Oshu no Ryu "Blue Dragon"
From Iwate Prefecture. Tokubetsu Junmai. SMV: +1 Acidity: 1.6
The nose on this “Special” Junmai is a great collection of nuts, banana bread, molasses, vanilla, mushroom, and steamed rice aromas. This brewery is in the heart of beef country, so they constructed this sake to work very well with meat, pork, and chicken. Round, soft, light but with body, it has a tremendous structure that feels great in the palate. Smooth, rich, and very solid, there is a ton of umami that pulses throughout each sip and highlights the extremely rare and totally cool rice varietal called Kameno-O. There are not a lot of Kameno-O sake available in the US, so that is a great reason to explore this brew. Another great reason, this sake tastes so darn good. Look for melon, pear, nougat, vanilla, banana bread, and malted flavors that drink more rich than sweet. There is a gentle white pepper finish that highlights that this is a food-pairing monster. WORD: Chewy WINE: Fat Reds/Beefy Whites BEER: Stouts FOODS: Steak, beef, meats, pork, chicken on a stick, veggies. $28/720ml
Izumibashi Megumi "Red Label"
From Kanagawa Prefecture. Junmai Genshu. SMV: +7 Acidity: 2.2
The nose on this undiluted "cask strength" Genshu sake is an interesting collection of woody, musky, cheesy, earthy, nutty, soy sauce, and mint aromas. Say Hi to dry! This is a rich, full-bodied dry sake that starts dry and ends dry. Usually dry sake is thin, but this brew has body and then some. It also has one of the highest acidity levels in the store, which means it's very good for food pairing. Using Yamadanishiki milled to 65%, look for creamy and buttery flavors that border on the savory side. Hidden within the dryness there is a vein of something sweet like maple syrup, nougat, caramel and sweet rice. Also take note of a beef jerky flavor with walnut, almond, and soy sauce hints. A great dry sake that has an ABV of 18% with good texture and mild flavors. It warms very well and does great at room temperature. WORD: Dry WINE: Full-Bodied Reds/Dry Whites BEER: Crisp Ales FOODS: Salty, savory, greasy, grilled, meats, chicken, burgers, pizza. $37/720ml