Banshu Ikkon 'Aiyama' Junmai Ginjo Sake

Brewery: Sanyohai Brewery • Prefecture: Hyogo •  Rice: Hyogo grown Aiyama milled to 50%  • Yeast: Kyokai #901  •   Water: Soft Hyonosen mountain water  •  Sake Meter Value: +1  •  Acidity: 1.7  •  ABV: 15% 

The highly sought after Aiyama rice is a quiet gem from the famous sake rice country of Hyogo. Sake brewers prize it for it’s soft grains which dissolve easily during fermentation, producing lush sake with beautifully expressive textures, and showing off the control and skill of the maker. Hyogo native Yuchi Tsubosaka makes gorgeous Junmai Ginjo from Aiyama, coaxing out delicate fruit flavors that are warm without being too prominent.

• Rare Aiyama rice is only grown in Hyogo, and provides a bright and expressive base for sake.
• Aroma of fresh strawberries moving into flavors and tartness of dark cherries, with an aftertaste of Muscat grapes.
• A beautiful complement to mild dishes like steamed whitefish, but the fruit flavors also lend themselves to tomato or eggplant dishes like ratatouille.