Kikusakari Junmai Ginjo Kurashizuku (菊盛 純米吟醸 蔵しずく)

Kiuchi Brewery is globally renowned as the home of 'Hitachino Nest Beer' (the owl beer), but it is actually a historic sake brewery that has been crafting sake in Ibaraki Prefecture since 1823. Their sake brand, 'Kikusakari,' carries the meaning of "wishing for the prosperity of the chrysanthemum." Among their lineup, 'Kurashizuku' means "drops of the first-pressed sake from the brewery," and it is a Junmai Ginjo brewed in the 'Usu-nigori' (lightly cloudy) style, retaining fine yeast and rice lees to give it a misty, pale appearance. According to global enthusiasts and sommeliers, the charm of this sake lies in the "silky and juicy texture" provided by the light lees. When poured, bright fruity aromas of fresh melon and faint white peach rise alongside an affectionate, milky nuance unique to the yeast. Upon taking a soft sip, the vibrant micro-carbonation typical of freshly pressed sake pleasantly awakens the tongue, and a comfortable sweetness with an SMV of ±0 affectionately fills the mouth. The distinct and refreshing 1.6 acidity neatly embraces the texture of the lees, which might otherwise feel heavy, cleansing the palate and showcasing an overwhelming crispness and excellent balance worthy of a sake crafted by a master beer brewery.

The delicate rice sweetness and fresh fruity aroma of Kikusakari Junmai Ginjo Kurashizuku allow for harmony with various dishes. Here are two pairing suggestions that highlight the characteristics of this sake. 1. Shiroebi Tempura (Japanese Glass Shrimp Tempura): The delicate sweetness of the glass shrimp inside the thin, crispy tempura batter enhances the sake's soft rice sweetness and subtle melon aroma. The sake's refreshing acidity cuts through the oiliness of the tempura, providing a clean finish, and the subtle lactic fermentation nuance harmonizes exquisitely with the savory notes of the tempura. 2. Mozzarella Cheese and White Peach Salad: The sweetness of fresh white peaches and the creamy texture of mozzarella cheese pair harmoniously with the sake's silky texture. The sake's fine micro-carbonation adds to the salad's freshness, and the subtle white flower aroma enriches the salad's fragrance even further. This is an excellent example of a creative approach that deviates from traditional Japanese pairings.