Haneya Daiginjo (羽根屋 大吟醸)

Founded in 1916, Fumigiku Shuzo in Toyama Prefecture is a historic brewery that propelled its 'Haneya' brand to the top ranks in Japan through innovations like 'four-season brewing' (brewing fresh sake year-round) and treating all its lineups with the same manual labor processes used for Daiginjo. As a brewery that pours Daiginjo-level care even into its Junmai grades, this 'true Daiginjo', which they set out to craft with utmost determination, is a masterpiece. By polishing the rice down to 40% and exquisitely adding a fine amount of brewer's alcohol, they have brought out the extreme limit of gorgeousness. According to global sommeliers and enthusiasts, the true value of this sake lies in the "ethereal brightness" that dominates the space the moment it is poured. True to its name, 'Haneya' (meaning wings), the ginjo aromas of clear green apple and subtle white peach rise as if spreading wings and taking flight. Upon taking a sip, an extremely transparent and silky texture coats the tongue, and instead of a sticky sweetness, only the delicate nuances of fruit linger in the mouth. Following this, the refined dryness of +5.0 and the clear acidity of 1.2 intervene to perfectly refresh the palate, and after swallowing, only a transparent and beautiful lingering finish scatters away faintly, like starlight in the night sky.

Haneya Daiginjo is a Daiginjo sake characterized by its delicate fruit aromas and clean texture. Here are two food pairings that perfectly complement this sake. 1. Sea Bream (鯛, Tai) Sashimi: The subtle apple and pear aromas of Haneya Daiginjo enhance the clean and light flavors of sea bream. The sake's clean texture further emphasizes the freshness of the sashimi, and its refreshing finish cleanses the palate. 2. Scallop Salad with Yuzu Dressing: The mineral notes of Haneya Daiginjo harmonize with the sweetness of scallops, while the refreshing aroma of yuzu enhances the sake's elegant Ginjo aroma. The sake's acidity complements the acidity of the yuzu dressing, further enhancing the scallop's flavor, and the clean finish maintains the salad's freshness.