![Eiko Fuji Junmai Ginjo Origarami](http://sunflowersake.com/cdn/shop/files/Eikofuji.png?v=1717566173&width=1080)
Eiko Fuji Junmai Ginjo Origarami
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A lightly hazy, gently creamy sake with notes of rainier cherry, melon creamy soda, and ramune. It tastes a lot brighter and more acid-driven than it is, and it doesn't come across nearly as sweet as you might expect either. If a nigori were a rose, like if you closed your eyes and used your imagination and convinced yourself it was pink... that's where my mind goes with this Eiko Fuji gem: a warm-climate rose with florals and stonefruity notes, much like provence.Â
Origarami is a style of nigori (cloudy) sake which is very unique. It's hazy from the fine lees (ori) left over after pressing the sake clear. Usually what happens is, when the (porridge-like) sake mash is pressed, there are still some very fine rice particles left over in the almost-clear sake. Those fine particles are generally removed with gravity, by letting the just-pressed sake sit for 12-24 hours in cold storage, and then pulling the clean sake off the top as the particles settle to the bottom. What's left over at the bottom, softly hazy, is origarami-- and the term for that fine particulate is ori.
The result is a nigori (ish!) with a very silky, fine texture that just glazes the tongue: a style you usually only see (in very limited amounts, at local shops) in Japan during the bottling season, as each batch provides just a bit of origarami sake. It's really special!
Eiko Fuji's juicy origarami has a lovely bright acidity to it which is brightened further by its freshness and single light pasteurization, making the sake taste almost effervescent and crisp. It's undiluted (genshu) with lots of flavor, and aromatic with stonefruit notes typical of Yamagata KA yeast. The use of Miyamanishiki to me is telling: common in Yamagata and other cool-climate areas, Miyamanishiki has a richness and velvetiness to it that might make it my favorite sake rice (at time of this writing!) Miyamanishiki is like a cozy blanket and a warm hug. So happy to share this new nigori with you!
Fuji Brewing Company; 富士酒é€
Location: Yamagata Prefecture
Rice: Miyamanishiki
Grade: Junmai Ginjo
Seimaibuai (rice polishing ratio): 60%
Brewing starter: sokujo moto
SMV: -3
Acidity: 1.4
Yeast: Yamagata KA
Pressing: Yabuta
Located in the Yamagata region of Northern Japan, The Eiko Fuji Brewing Company was founded in 1778 and is now led by the 13th generation of the Kato family. The Katos named their sake after Mt. Fuji because they wanted their sake to be as glorious and widely enjoyed as the National Symbol. Today, Kodai Kato is the Toji, or head Brewmaster. Kodai Toji is the youngest Toji in Japan to win Gold Awards at the National Sake Competitions for his sake. Adept at using many different types of rice and methods, the brewery is brimming with youthful inspiration and passion.