By JIRO OMURA/ Staff Writer
September 4, 2024 at 08:00 JST
Grilled eel and steak are among the suggested pairings for "Nikitatsu Junmaiginjoshu Sakurahime Yeast" sake, which was awarded a gold medal at the International Wine Challenge 2024. (Provided by Minakuchi Shuzo Co.)
Minakuchi Shuzo Co. clinched a gold medal distinction in the “junmai ginjo” premium sake category at the 2024 International Wine Challenge (IWC) in London.
The romanization of “Nikitatsu Junmaiginjoshu Sakurahime Yeast” may be a daunting read, but the Ehime Prefecture brew wowed at the June event that is one of the world’s largest wine competitions.
It boasts a floral aroma reminiscent of “sakurahime,” a subspecies of delphinium grown in Ehime, with a hint of fruit. Yeast from these flowers was extracted to make the sake.
"It is reassuring to win the award in the second year we started using sakurahime yeast," the brewery said in a comment.
Judges also described it as having "a gorgeously silky texture" in the tasting notes. The sake, which pairs well with dishes including “kabayaki” grilled eel and steak, won the brewery its second gold medal distinction in this particular competition.
Minakuchi Shuzo was founded in 1895 and is the only sake brewery in Matsuyama city’s Dogo district.
The brewery said 319 variations of sake were submitted to the junmai ginjo category, 11 of which were awarded gold medal status.
The IWC was first held in 1984 and established its sake division in 2007.
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