Wakayama sake that attracts the attention of the world! 5 recommended sakes

Speaking of Wakayama, it is a land that has historical tourism resources such as Kumano Kodo and Koyasan and is also registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With the attention of people all over the world, the number of foreign tourists is increasing year by year, and it is bustling.

Slightly behind UNESCO's designation as a World Heritage Site, "Japanese cuisine" was also registered as a World Cultural Heritage site.

As a result, the main feature of sightseeing along with sightseeing spots is becoming Japanese food. Speaking of local dishes of Wakayama, there are many things that are hard to find in other regions, such as stewed knotweed, boiled igami, ayu sushi, kube hot pot and whale dishes.

Attention is also focused on those local dishes and the sake that is marriaged, and many excellent sakes have been born.

Here, we introduce the history and characteristics of sake from Wakayama, which is attracting attention from all over the world.

In addition, here are six recommended sakes from Wakayama that are perfect for gifts.

History of sake in Wakayama

Wakayama was called Kishu a long time ago, and it is a land with a history that was prosperous and more prosperous than the surrounding daimyo as the Kishu Tokugawa family during the Edo period.

It was a land that was favored as a royal family compared to daimyo in other areas, so it was blessed with a lot of population and a thriving business area.

For this reason, Wakayama has a history of sake brewing since the Edo period.

Because high quality sake was produced as a gift of the Kishu Tokugawa family, etc., high-quality sake is still being produced actively today.

Wakayama has a lot of nature, which is also designated as a World Heritage Site, and at the same time, it is a land surrounded by the sea, so it is blessed with both mountain and seafood.

It is characterized by the fact that there are many sakes that are considered to be a marriage to dishes, and northern Wakayama is famous nationwide as a rice spot, but it can be enjoyed together with sushi, a typical dish using seafood It is also characterized by a lot of sake.

A lot of Junmai sake is also made, and it is a major feature that it follows the tradition by keeping the old recipe.

Some breweries disappeared during the war, and some breweries relocated to Fushimi, Kyoto, a nearby liquor spot, but after the war, they have been rebuilt and reopened elsewhere in the city.

Characteristics of sake in Wakayama

The characteristics of sake in Wakayama were introduced in the history, but it was a high quality sake, given as a gift of the palace.

In addition, a lot of pure rice sake that makes the best match even when eaten with seafood is made, and it is made with local sake rice.

They are often sold abroad, and are often sold at luxury hotels and restaurants overseas.

Sake attracted worldwide attention due to the Ise-Shima Summit, but local sake in Wakayama has also won a gold prize at SAKE competitions and Monde Selection etc. .

Sake rice is important for sake making, but just as important is brewing water.

Wakayama is home to the Kino River, which originates from Odaigahara, which boasts one of the greatest precipitations in Japan, and its underground water is soft water, which is said to be the best water for sake.

The characteristics of Japanese sake from Wakayama, which is prepared with high quality underflow water, are generally sharp and many types have a rich taste.

Although the number of breweries is not large compared to famous places in the country, many of them have won the highest prize or gold prize in various contests, which is increasing the presence in the brewing industry.

In the Edo period, there was a background to producing ultra-high-quality sake that ordinary people couldn't have, so the brewing technique is handed down to the good old days.

In addition, the latest technology adapted to the current era has been incorporated, and sake brewing adapted to the modern Japanese food culture is being carried out.

6 recommended sakes in Wakayama

Black beef Junmai Daiginjo

Kuroushi Junmai Daiginjo is a local sake from Wakayama Prefecture that is said to have been highly acclaimed by sake brewers around the world.

As the name suggests, black beef is made of pure rice with a solid drink, making it exactly like a large black cow.

Utilizing Yamada Nishiki from Hyogo Prefecture, which is considered to be the top class among sake brewing compatible rice, it has a mild taste and a deep taste.

Junmai Daiginjo is a flagship product of black beef and is one of the gold prizes in the Daiginjo A category of the National Sake Appraisal held in 2018.

The brewery is a famous sake brewery. Located in Kuroe, Hainan City, 10 km south of Wakayama City, this town has a long history of producing lacquerware since the Muromachi period.

It is a town where many craftsmen gather, and the beginning of the history of famous sake brewing began in 2 in Keio 1865 (XNUMX), when it was possible to satisfy Japanese craftsmen with discerning craftsmen.

We use the water from the well water of Chugon Shrine, which has been selected as one of the 50 Best Waters in Wakayama Prefecture, and the water of the same vein as the water used for water supply.

Black beef manufactured with such a commitment can be said to be an excellent one that satisfies the concept of a famous brewery that is loved by loving people.

Brand	Naite Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.
website	https://kuroushi.co.jp/
Amazon	Click here for Amazon Black Beef Junmai Daiginjo

Rashomon Junmai Daiginjo Ryuju

Speaking of Tabata Sake Brewery, Rashomon is something many Japanese sake fans know.

Among them, Junmai Daiginjo Ryuju is the first Japanese sake to receive the special gold medal at the Monde Selection held in 1989, a proof of the highest score among all exhibited sakes.

Since then, the Monde Selection Grand Prize has been awarded continuously for 31 years, winning the highest gold prize in 2019 and setting a new world record.

The value of Monde Selection, which evaluates not only alcohol but also beer, wine and other beverages, as well as food, confectionery and tobacco, has its own opinion.

However, the ability to have won the highest gold prize for 31 consecutive years may be regarded as the world's recognized sake of Wakayama.

There are fans all over the world including Japan, America, Europe, China and Southeast Asia, as well as local Wakayama.

It is a bottle that brings out the elegance and elegance of Ginjo scent and the umami inherent in rice, and gives a refreshing throat.

By the way, the daughter of Kashiro Hasegawa, the sixth president of Tabata Sake Brewery, devised "Satoko no Sake" and is loved by sake fans as a sake made by the daughter of a small brewery.

Brand	Tabata Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.
website	https://www.rashomon-kuramoto.co.jp/
Amazon	Click here for Amazon Rashomon Junmai Daiginjo Ryuju

Southern Junmai Ginjo

The way people enjoy drinking sake in wine glasses is widespread, but there are still few Japanese sake that suits wine glasses.

Meanwhile, the Junmai Ginjo Sake, which won the gold prize in the Premium Junmai category of the “Wineglass Delicious Sake Awards” held in 2018, is Minamigata Junmai Ginjo.

It is said that the world's leading producer of southern names was named by the prime minister, Shigenobu Okuma, who wished to be a leader in the world of sake.

The brewery is also famous as the home of Kumagusu Minamikata, a naturalist, biologist and folk scholar who is a great man in the world.

Junmai Ginjo in the south has a high reputation as a harmonious Junmai Ginjo sake that combines the sensation of gorgeous Ginjo scent with a rich mouthfeel and good aftertaste.

However, because of its reasonable price, it is gaining popularity as a sake with good cospa.

In addition to the southern ones introduced, there are many other famous breweries such as Honzo, Daiginjo Kumagusu, Honshu XNUMX stones, the world's top, Junmai Shukishu.

Brand	World Leader Co., Ltd.
website	http://www.sekaiitto.co.jp/index.html
Amazon	Click here for Amazon Southern Junmai Ginjo

Kido KID Daiginjo

Heiwa Sake Brewery, which produces Kido, is located in Hainan. Speaking of Hainan City, it is a rich place surrounded by the great nature of Kishu.

Kijima KID is pure rice sake made from Yamada Nishiki, which is the best suitable rice, made from the unique soft water extracted from nature.

Heiwa Shuzo originally produces plum wine and is a brewery that boasts top-class popularity.

The Ginjo category of the SAKE Competition held in 2017 was one of the gold prize winners, and Daiginjo Sake, which has been brewed through long-term low-temperature fermentation, has been highly evaluated.

When poured into a glass, sweet fruit scent reminiscent of apples and cherries rises, and it is characterized by a light taste and elegant and gentle drinking.

Under such circumstances, it is finished in one that can deeply feel the taste of Yamada Nishiki, which is said to be the king of suitable rice.

The contrast between the gorgeousness that spreads when it is contained in the mouth and the ephemeral afterglow that disappears quickly makes many sake fans growl.

Brand	Heiwa Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.
website	http://www.heiwashuzou.co.jp/
Amazon	Click here for Amazon Kido KID Daiginjo

Pacific Junmai sake

KURAMASTER, a sake contest held in France in 2017.

Junmai Sake, which won the Platinum Award in the Junmai category of this contest, is “Pacific Junmai Sake”.

In addition, the wine glass held in the same year also won the highest prize in the sake award, and 2017 was a good year to be called the Pacific Ocean year, and succeeded in raising the profile at a stretch.

It is a sake brewery located at the center of Kumano Sanzan in Kumano Kodo designated as a World Heritage Site, and is also famous as the southernmost sake brewery in Honshu.

We use underground water from the Kumano River, which has its source in Oku Kumano, a place of religion, history and romance, and use it for water.

The sake made by Ozaki Sake Brewery is attractive because of the unique taste of handmade brew and the sharp and clean aftertaste.

The rice used is made entirely of Koshihikari from Kumano, and has a reputation for being rich but full of flavor.

The gentle taste that succeeded in suppressing the spiciness while fully extracting the taste of rice is attractive.

It is the best sake to drink at room temperature or lukewarm, and it is convinced that it is evaluated as delicious in a wine glass.

Brand	Ozaki Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.
website	http://ozakisyuzou.jp/
Amazon	Click here for Amazon Pacific Ozaki Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.

Saiga Yamada Nishiki Junmai Ginjo

In addition to sake, Wakayama Prefecture is also known for its attractiveness of fruity ginjo scent and refreshing drinks from Junmai Ginjo Sake `` Saika '' produced by Kuju Saiga, a company that produces vinegar and plum wine. It is Japanese sake.

This is the result of most sake competitions in 2018. It is a talented group who has won gold prizes in three contests, wine sake delicious, KURAMASTER, and the National Sake Appraisal.

Because it is a company that produces vinegar, it is characterized by being manufactured with a special focus on acids, and has a reputation for its unique taste that cannot be found in other breweries.

Brand	Kokonoe Saiga Co., Ltd.
website	https://www.kokonoesaika.co.jp/
Amazon	Click here for Amazon Saiga Yamada Nishiki Junmai Ginjo

How to get Wakayama sake

As mentioned above, some sake from Wakayama is difficult to obtain due to the awards at the Ise-Shima Summit and various sake contests.

But basically, if you use online shopping, you can get most of Kishu's sake.

If you search for "Wakayama Local Sake" or "Wakayama Sake", you will find many breweries, breweries, and stores.

All you have to do is buy the Wakayama sake you want to drink. There are few other brands that sell on major mail-order sites, so you can go to Wakayama and buy them in person.