Kisoji Junmai Yamahai Hiyaoroshi 2024
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A tangy, lightly effervescent mix of persimmon, ripe bosc pear, golden syrup, dried nectarine and mascarpone from this husband and wife team, brewing high in the Japan Alps. A classic expression of Fall with a tangy, lactic twist. In fact, the lactic tang makes the sake a bit leaner on the palate than you might imagine for a Yamahai brew.
The label-- always one of my favorites-- is a vision of the clear, starry night sky in Nagano, the "roof of Japan."
Heated to 115, this sake gains some interesting herbal elements, like forest floor and nutty fiddleheads, while the fruit goes from its fresher form to baked apple, raisins, and poached pear. It's quite a bit drier and even salty when I bring it up to 140F. I recommend anywhere from lightly chilled to hot, but the range from lightly chilled to lightly warmed is my favorite.
Yukawa Brewing Company, 湯川酒造店
Location: Kiso Village, Nagano Prefecture
Rice: Hitogokochi rice (locally grown Nagano variety)
Polish: 70%
Yeast: #901
Aging: ambient temperature aging over the summer
SMV: -1.9
Acidity: 1.7
ABV: 15%
Yukawa Shuzo was founded in 1650 and is one of the highest elevation breweries in Japan, located in Nagano within the Japan Alps at nearly 3000 ft. The brewery is managed by a wife and husband team and is focused on using local rice and brewing for a local audience.
Enjoy with any cold-weather meal, but especially roasted root vegetables with yogurt and walnuts.
