Iwate – Japanese Sake
The History of Sake
Just as cultures throughout history have distilled alcohols from their regions’ most important grains, so have the Japanese developed their prestigious rice wine, sake. The tradition of brewing sake can be traced back to at least the 8th century, and as such, it has been refined in many unique ways over the millennia. Regional varieties of sake are available throughout Japan, especially where there are pure bodies of water and farmers growing high-quality rice. The prefecture of Iwate is one such region and is home to many established sake brewers.
NANBU BIJIN SAKE
“Nanbu Bijin/南部美人” Sake Brewing Company is the one of the finest sake breweries in the prefecture. It was once a family business producing soy sauce until the owners decided to switch over to sake in 1902. The processes for making both products are quite similar. So with their prior knowledge from making soy sauce, mixed with Iwate’s natural crystalline water, Nanbu Bijin became a brand known for their high quality alcohol.
The name Nanbu Bijin originated from the region’s historic name: “Nambu-南部” being the prior name of the region, and “Bijin-美人” meaning “sophisticated” or “elegant” in Japanese. The company continues to produce world-class sake and has won international awards, such as 1st prize at the 2017 IWC International Wine Challenge with their “Tokubetsu Jyunmai- 特別純米”. Their name is recognised with prestige and is even chosen as many airlines’ choice of drink for their first-class passengers.
Japanese sake is mainly classified into two styles of brewing: the pure rice style and the alcohol-added style. Pure rice style sake is made of only rice, water, yeast and koji, while alcohol-added style sake also includes an amount of distilled alcohol as an ingredient. For the 2022 Iwate Food Fair in Canada, we are featuring Nanbu Bijin’s “Jyunnmai-syu / 純米酒” which is a pure rice style sake.
Junmai Dai Ginjo -Shin Paku- 純米 大吟醸 心白
In the process of brewing sake, the rice is “polished” a certain amount in order to create a clean taste. The refined cores of the rice grains are called “shinpakku – 心白” and are a key factor in the purity of flavour of the final sake. A lower rice-polishing ratio means that a higher amount of each rice grain’s exterior has been ground away, leaving only the purest core. This bottle’s name and label refer to the purest “shinpaku”, representing the clarity of its taste.
“Junmai Dai Ginjo Shinpaku” has a bright, smooth, and well balanced flavour. “Shinpaku” won the platinum prize at the 2019 Kura Master – le grand concours des sakés japonais de Paris
[Ingredients Yamada Nishiki sake rice]
Rice – polishing ratio 50%
Mother water Subsoil water from Orizumebasenkyo in Iwate Prefectural Natural Park (water of low to medium calcium content)
Yeast 1801
Nihonshudo, SMV ±0
Alc 16～17%
Acidity 1.6
Jyumai Dai Ginjyo Yamada Nishiki – 純米 大吟醸 山田錦
This is Nanbu Bijin’s top quality sake and was selected as the premium sake served to first class passengers of Japan Airlines.
It has a good balance of flowery aroma and full-bodied taste. For a special occasion, “Junmai Dai Ginjyo Yamada Nishiki” is the perfect choice to highlight the event.
[Ingredients YamadaNishiki sake rice]
Rice – polishing ratio 35%
Mother water Subsoil water from Orizumebasenkyo in Iwate Prefectural Natural Park (water of low to medium calcium content)
Yeast Jyobanni Brewing Society of Japan yeast
Nihonshudo,
SMV ＋1
Alc 16～17%
Acidity 1.4
