Type
Miyasaka Jozo · Nagano
Masumi Junmai Ginjo "Shiro Matinee"
$43.00
No sales tax — Oregon
Rice
Miyamanishiki (local, Nagano), Yamadanishiki (Hyogo)
Prefecture
Nagano
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.
LightFullVery light: delicate and water-clean on the palate, light in flavor and overall presence.
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.
SubtleAromaticModerate aroma: noticeable from the glass. Most often, moderate intensity aromas are either ginjo-ka (fruit, florals) or koshu-ka (nuts, mushroom, brown sugar).
With a lower alcohol content than most sakes (12%), “Shiro” is smooth and gentle, with sweetness and acidity in finely etched balance. Ideal for lunchtime sake-sipping, with enough body for evening enjoyment as well.
For me, this is a light, zesty iteration of the Masumi formula: all of their sake now use their proprietary house yeast (a version of #7)-- incredibly unique for any brewery, but especially a brewery of this scale. Notes of lemon meringue, witch hazel, white tea, raw sugar, and elderflower are softened by a clean ricey sweetness. The low alcohol makes this sake feather-weight, with very minimal umami and a silky mouthfeel. There is a light earthy tang here that reminds me of a gentle sparkling perry, or wines made from birch sap.
Ground shipping is $25 to $40, free at 12 bottles.
Free pickup at our Portland shop. Ice is extra. An adult (21+) with photo ID must be present for delivery.
Specifications
Region: Chubu
Type: Junmai Ginjo & Ginjo
Style: Modern
Rice: Miyamanishiki (local, Nagano), Yamadanishiki (Hyogo)
Rice-Polishing Ratio: 55%
ABV: 12%
Starter: Sokujo
SMV: -3
Acidity: 1.5
Yeast: Masumi #7 (a version of #7 yeast)
Size: 720ml
Shipping
Available nationwide to states and counties that permit alcohol. No sales tax (Oregon). Ground shipping is priced by region, and pickup at the 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.
