Kanazawa Sake: Top Picks for Sake Lovers Visiting Ishikawa
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When you visit Kanazawa, you should definitely enjoy the local sake of Ishikawa Prefecture along with the delicious food. However, there are so many different types of sake that it can be difficult to know which to choose. That’s why we asked Osawa Sake Shop, a long-established sake shop in Kanazawa’s Omicho Market, to tell us which sake is uniquely Kanazawa. In this article, we introduce some recommended sake that is loved by locals.
Omicho Market and “Osawa Sake Shop”
Osawa Sake Shop is located in Kanazawa’s Omicho Market. Omicho Market boasts a history of approximately 280 years, dating back to a morning market that began in 1580 (Tensho 8) during the Edo period (1603-1868). In 1721 (Kyoho 6), the markets were consolidated to form the current Omicho Market. In this historic market, Osawa Sake Shop has been operating for many years as a sake shop, a favorite with the locals.
Types of sake
There are many different types of sake, and beginners may find it difficult to tell the difference between them. Here we provide some basic information to help you choose the best local sake in Ishikawa Prefecture.
First, let’s talk about junmai sake. Junmai sake is sake made from rice, rice koji, and water only, with no added alcohol. Junmai sake has the concept of milling ratio, which indicates how much rice has been removed. The lower the milling ratio, the more rice has been removed, which generally means the sake is of higher quality.
Next, we look at sake to which brewing alcohol has been added. Unlike junmai sake, brewing alcohol is added in addition to rice. The addition of brewing alcohol is said to cleanse the taste and make it easier to drink. This method was popularized against the backdrop of post-war rice shortages, but is now used to adjust the taste.
Ranking of sake to buy in Kanazawa
The following recommended rankings have been drawn up to introduce local sake from Ishikawa Prefecture.
English Name
Japanese Name
Polishing Ratio
Notes
Junmai Daiginjo-shu
純米大吟醸酒
50% or less
Highest quality, highly polished rice
Junmai Ginjo-shu
純米吟醸酒
60% or less
Aromatic and flavorful
Tokubetsu Junmai-shu
特別純米酒
Less than 60%
Special process used, high-quality
Junmai-shu
純米酒
70% or less
Standard junmai sake, less polished rice
These are junmai sake without added alcohol, but those with added brewing alcohol are also popular.
English Name
Japanese Name
Polishing Ratio
Notes
Daiginjo-shu
大吟醸酒
50% or less
Highly polished rice, with brewing alcohol added
Ginjo-shu
吟醸酒
Less than 60%
Aromatic, with brewing alcohol added
Tokubetsu Honjozo-shu
特別本醸造酒
Less than 60%
Special process used, with brewing alcohol added
Honjozo-shu
本醸造酒
Less than 70%
Standard honjozo sake, with brewing alcohol added
If you are choosing sake for the first time, please use this ranking as a guide. In particular, the higher the price, the better the quality tends to be, so if in doubt, one option is to choose something a little more luxurious.
Three recommended brands
Let us now introduce some specific recommended local sake brands from Ishikawa Prefecture.
Tedorigawa Yamahai Junmai Sake – Yoshida Shuzo (手取川 山廃純米 吉田酒造)
This brand from the Yoshida Shuzo brewery in Hakusan City is made using local sake rice and Hakusan subsoil water, and has won a gold medal in the junmai sake category at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) in London in 2009.
This brewery, also from Hakusan City, is characterized by its sour taste. Tengumai is very popular both within and outside Ishikawa Prefecture and won a Gold Medal at the IWC in 2011.
This brand was created by renowned toji Naohiko Noguchi and is a gem from his former company, Kano Shuzo. Although Mr. Noguchi has since left the company, Jokigen continues to carry on his skills and DNA, and is a sake that must be tasted at least once in Kanazawa.
Five recommended non-standard brands of local sake
Next, here are five recommended local sakes from Ishikawa Prefecture other than the standard brands.
Kuroobi – Fukumitsuya
Widely known in Kanazawa, Fukumitsuya’s Kuroobi is a special junmai sake that goes perfectly with Kanazawa’s winter delicacies, especially crab and nabe dishes.
Arabashiri Tedorigawa – Yoshida Shuzo
Arabashiri Tedorigawa is a fruity, unpasteurized sake, best enjoyed chilled in the fridge. It is also popular with women.
Shirakiku – Shirafuji Shuzo
Shirakiku is a rare sake with no bar code and is a premium product that can only be found in certain shops due to its small production.
AKIRA – Nakamura Sake Brewery
This sake is made by a farmer who focuses on organic cultivation and features stylish labels and international availability.
Gorin – Shata Shuzo
With its refreshing taste, this sake is ideal for enjoying during meals. It pairs well with dishes such as crab and yellowtail and is the quintessential sake.
Recommended as a Kanazawa souvenir
If you want to choose a recommended bottle as a souvenir in Kanazawa, we recommend Tengumai (Shata Shuzo). Sold exclusively in Ishikawa Prefecture, this quality sake meets the Hakusan Kikusui standard. These standards include, among other things, that the sake must be brewed in Ishikawa Prefecture and use water from a private well in the Tedori River system. (Attention: Please check locally as it may not be available at present.)
Finally
When you visit Kanazawa, you should not only enjoy beer but also sake from Ishikawa Prefecture. As you are sightseeing, it will be a good memory to try sake that can only be tasted locally. In particular, when you stop by Omicho Market, it is a good idea to visit Osawa Sake Shop and ask for local recommendations.
Kanazawa’s local sake has won awards at the IWC and has world-class techniques and tastes. Ishikawa is also proud of its sake brewing tradition, which has been passed down by Mr. Naohiko Noguchi and other toji (master sake brewers). We invite you to enjoy Ishikawa’s local sake as part of your trip to Kanazawa.
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