Shunka Shusetsu Echizen Junmai Ginjo Sake (Japan) - Review

Tonight's review is an excellent sake from Japan that landed at the LCBO as a brand new arrival in the January 18th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection - with bottles still available for purchase.

It is produced by Koshi No Iso Brewing, a small-batch, family-owned brewery that was established in 1909 in the Sea of Japan coastal city of Echizen in the Fukui Prefecture. After World War II, the brewery relocated approximately 30 kilometres inland. Focusing on non-fortified pure rice sake, Koshi No Iso was founded in an area with bountiful seafood from the Sea of Japan, with the flavour profile of their sake reflecting the terroir of the coastal village.

In 1998, Koshi No Iso began brewing beer, with efforts focused on using only locally sourced Fukui Prefecture malt, while also applying sake brewing principles, such as non-charcoal filtration, to its beer production.

This particular sake is classified as a "Junmai Ginjo", of which Junmai means "rice and water only". Junmai Ginjo is a premium sub-segment of Junmai sake, where the minimum rice polishing standard is 40% removal and 60% remaining. Standard Junmai sake polishing ranges from 20-35% removal and 80-65% remaining. The Shunka Shusetsu Echizen Junmai Ginjo Sake has 50% removal and 50% remaining. Junmai Ginjo sake is crafted using the simplest ingredients of rice, water, mould, and yeast. This class of sake is perfect for the sushi counter, with clean and balanced cuisines, and is easy to sip. Served best chilled, let's see how this Junmai Ginjo sake is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SHUNKA SHUSETSU ECHIZEN JUNMAI GINJO SAKE - Japan (#572644, 720 mL) - $33.95 $30.20
Crafted with rice polished to 50% of the grain and enclosed by screw cap, this has a fragrant, intense, and concentrated nose of rice and mineral aromas with a hint of jasmine. It's light-to-mid-weighted, but gains volume and concentration in the mouth. Dry with peppery spicy and mineral flavours supported by racy acidity, which give way to rice and jasmine flavours. A touch warming, with well-balanced mineral, rice, and peppery spice notes lingering on the long, succulent, and crisp finish. Enjoy this recommended buy well-chilled. Score: 91 pts

Other fine sake by Koshi No Iso can be ordered through Agent - DBINO Inc..