Type
Kaetsu Shuzo · Niigata
Kanbara Junmai Ginjo "Bride of the Fox"
$39.00
No sales tax — Oregon
Rice
Gohyakumangoku (Niigata)
Prefecture
Niigata
Flavor profileEach scale is our tasting-room read on where this bottle sits between two extremes — dry to sweet, light to full-bodied, soft to acidic, and subtle to aromatic. These are subjective, however, and will shift with food, serveware & temp.
DrySweetBone dry: crisp and clean, almost no perceptible sweetness. Everyone will read "5" as dry.
LightFullLight: lean and easy, mellow, has enough flavor and umami to give it character but generally really easy to drink. This is the most common weight for junmai ginjo/ginjo sake.
SoftAcidicVery soft: gentle and mellow, almost no perceptible acidity. A "1" sake isn't flat or boring, but is balanced around overall subtlety and softness, using other characteristics to give it structure.
SubtleAromaticSubtle aroma: if you stick your nose in, you'll get a few quiet notes of fruit, grains, nuts & rice. Aroma isn't a big part of this sake's character. An aromatically quiet sake can still have a powerful flavor, though.
Pairs with
Try with duck, fig-stuffed pork loin, or black cod with miso glaze. Delicious served chilled in a wine glass, but equally enjoyable at room temperature or warm-- particularly after it has matured a year or two since bottling.
Aromas of grilled nuts, pistachio, and a hint of white chocolate. Ripe honeydew notes finish crisp, with contrasting notes of rock sugar and fresh, dry spearmint.
This savory sake is inspired by local legends of Niigata's annual fox-bride festival. Local lore tells of mysterious lights on nearby Mt. Kirin, claimed to be the lanterns carried in a fox-bride procession. With a 50% polishing rate this sake could technically qualify as a Junmai Daiginjo, but the savory notes and food pairing versatility identify more with the style expected from Junmai Ginjo.
Ground shipping is $25 to $40, free at 12 bottles.
Free pickup at our Portland shop. An adult (21+) with photo ID must be present for delivery.
Specifications
Region: Chubu
Type: Junmai Ginjo & Ginjo
Style: Chokarakuchi
Rice: Gohyakumangoku (Niigata)
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 50%
ABV: 16.5%
Starter: Sokujo
SMV: 3.0
Acidity: 1.6
Yeast: Proprietary (house)
Size: 720ml
Poured at our Wednesday Flight
- Wednesday Flight #3: Gohyakumangoku, Sep 2, 2025
Shipping
Ships to most states, not Alaska, Hawaii or Utah. No sales tax (Oregon). Free Ground shipping at 12 bottles. Pickup at our Portland shop is free.
Pick up in person
Shop open Tu–Sun. Order online and pick up at the shop — 107 SE Washington St. #121, Portland, Oregon.
