Type
Kaze no Mori "Wind of the Woods" Akitsuho 657 Junmai Muroka Nama Genshu
$34.00
No sales tax — Oregon
Rice
Akitsuho (local Nara variety, technically a table rice)
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.
DrySweetBalanced dry: reads as dry, with a little bit of softness, or maybe a fruit/brown sugar note that tempers the impression of dryness. Most people will read "2" 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.
SoftAcidicAbove-average acidity, an important part of this sake's character, but nowhere near sour/tart. Lift, refreshing. When paired with higher sweetness, it creates a juicy, ripe impression.
SubtleAromaticModerate aroma: noticeable from the glass. Most often, moderate intensity aromas are either ginjo-ka (fruit, florals) or koshu-ka (nuts, mushroom, brown sugar).
The number one Sunflower Sake bestseller. If someone comes in with no idea what they want to drink...and Kaze no Mori is in stock, it's almost always my top recommendation. Fizzy, well balanced, utterly delightful, and loved by all!
Tasting notes
Bright, fantastic, fizzy melon, sweet green herbs, mint, nectarine, lime zest, fruit loops, rainier cherry, Jordan almonds, and strawberry daifuku mochi. Truly, if Ramune soda were a sake-- this would be it.
On day 1 there is so much fizz that the cap pops off like a Champagne cork, so watch out and aim away from your eyes! From that fizz you'll also get an intense, even searing brightness, that makes it enjoyable most as an aperitif served with equally bright and refreshing food. A few days later, the fizz mellows out and the sake takes on a rounder sort of honeydew melon, mochi, white chocolate character, which still retains its original freshness-- but with a softer side. The softness continues to come out over time and on day 30+ it's generous, fleshy, and a tad creamy.
If you have patience, I recommend a glass on day 1, day 3, day 14 and day 30! Or just have it all on day 1-- you know, whatever's clever.
Recommended serveware
As far as serveware, this is one sake where I really think a white wine glass, Usuhari daiginjo glass, or Champagne flute is your best bet. You can definitely do an ochoko or sakazuki, but if so stick with a thin lip and be prepared to refill your cup a LOT. This sake is dangerously quaffable. It's not for meditation, it's for unadulterated enjoyment.
Your case:
$30 flat-rate case shipping (up to 12 bottles) — the more you add, the less per bottle. Per federal requirements, an adult (21+) with photo ID must be present to receive the delivery.
Sake Club members: $20 shipping (up to 12 bottles) with your club bottles About the clubs
Specifications
Region: Kansai
Class: Junmai
Style: Namazake
Rice: Akitsuho (local Nara variety, technically a table rice)
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 65%
ABV: 16%
Yeast: #7
Size: 720ml
Shipping
Available nationwide to states and counties that permit alcohol. No sales tax (Oregon). Flat-rate case shipping; in-store pickup available.
Pick up in person
Shop open Tu–Sun. Order online and pick up at the shop — 107 SE Washington St. #121, Portland, Oregon.
