Aizu Homare Junmai Ginjo Yamadanishiki 60 "Karahashi"

The nose on this award winning brewery’s Junmai Ginjo is a fruit basket full of honeydew, strawberry, grape, blueberry, sugar cane, biscotti, toffee, pear, cotton candy, and steamed rice aromas. We love Homare! Pound-for-pound, this is one of the best quality-to-value sakes at True Sake. Named after the Toji (you have to love a sake that has the master brewer’s name on the label), it is a world class Ginjo made with Yamadanishiki milled to 60%. Trending towards a “new school” modern style, there is a slight spritz with a lively and elegant flow that drinks fresh, tingly, and very bright. There is a nice medium-bodied texture that hosts a ton of flavors such as pear, apple pie, grape, papaya, honeydew, Clementine, cotton candy, cucumber, candied fennel, minerals, and oatmeal that roll out into a very classy white pepper finish. It’s both fruity and savory (and a touch of minerality), with a hidden layer of umami that is balanced personified. Sake professionals look for a hint of sansho pepper. This brew is best served chilled out of a white wine glass. WORD: Classy WINE: Bright Reds/Fruity Whites BEER: Flinty Ales FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, grilled beef and chicken, shrimp, crab, avocado salad, and cheese/fruit plates.