Style: Junmai Ginjo Sake

Producer: Sakata Shuzo

Rice: Oyama Nishiki milled to 55%

Where: Yamagata

Country: Japan

Taste: A classically fruity Junmai Ginjo with a slight savory quality to balance. Aromas of pear, move into a medium bodied sake with, notes of stewed black cherries, orange zest and a savory finish.

Vibes with: Pair with richer dishes like grilled duck breast, miso marinated black cod or maguro sashimi.

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Additional Info:

Brewery: Sakata Shuzo • Prefecture: Yamagata • Rice: Oyama Nishiki milled to 55% • Yeast: Jokigen House Yeast • Water: Sakata Soft Water ABV: 16%

The Jokigen is a model Junmai Ginjo, with bold notes of cherry and apple balanced by savory undertones. Classic Yamagata style with its subtle layers of fruit and light sweetness. Made from specially grown Oyama Nishiki developed by a group of Toyama rice farmers looking to develop the ultimate sake rice. They chose Sakata Shuzo as a brewery that could bring out the full potential of the rice.

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About Sakata Brewery: 

Sakata (literally “sake-field”) is a northern Japanese port where the Mogami river brings rice and other agricultural bounty from Yamata’s interior to the Sea of Japan to then ship throughout the country. The high concentration of rice warehouses led to a development of a robust sake making culture. 

Sakata Shuzo was formed in 1946 when the five small breweries in the town of Sakata decided to merge together to pool resources and start distributing sake nationally instead of competing over the local market. The combined brewery has since established a reputation as the leading producer in Yamagata of premium grade sake with close to 80% of the sake they produce being honjozo grade or higher and are a leader in the labor intensive kimoto style as well.

In recent years the brewery has become a constant feature in national tasting competitions, taking top honors five years in a row. A lot of this is due to the tireless efforts of the man serving as both brewery president and head toji brewmaster: Shoichi Sato. Sato is recognized as one of the leading toji in the country, serving as a mentor and source of knowledge for many other brewers. Not content to simply rely on the same ingredients and methods, Sato is known for constantly experimenting with new rice varietals and methods of fermentation, all while relying on decades of brewing experience.

The brewery’s signature Jokigen brand has become one of the most awarded premium sake brands in the country, a classic Yamagata style sake with a excellent definition and structure and a characteristic mild fruitiness.