Hirotogawa Tokubetsu Junmai

The nose on this excellent Fukushima (home to the national gold medal record holder in the International Wine Challenge) Junmai is an inviting collection of green apple, melon, clove, Osage orange, pumpernickel, egg pudding, whipped cream, pumpkin, and banana aromas. Using Yume No Kaori rice milled to 55%, this Tokubetsu Junmai is a very well built brew that speaks to those who like “sessionable” or “quaffable” sake. In other words, it drinks you. Smooth, medium-bodied, velvety, balanced, elegant, silky, slippery, water-like, juicy with a little shibumi (astringency), it slides effortlessly through the palate with a soft finish. Look for kiwi, tangelo, Asian pear, grapefruit, green apple, peach skin, sea foam, and sweet rice flavors that drink bright and round, and then gently says, “Adios.” WORD: Sessionable WINE: Gentle Reds/Light Whites BEERS: Light Ales FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, dashi-based dishes, grilled chicken, meat, and fish soups/stews.