Sparkling & Nigori
Sparkling -
The sparkling sake, Awa, category is one of the fastest growing segments in the sake industry. Sparkling Sake is not novelty or gimmicky sake. It is the real deal and many brewers are taking sparkling sake to new altitudes of clarity and elegance. If you are a Sparkling Wine or Champagne drinker, this category will speak to you. There are several different methods of production, and now there is even a “Japan Awasake Association'' that acts like a control agency for purity. Some brewers use carbonation, but most use a “secondary” or “lag” fermentation technique that sees the brew still active in the bottle thus creating good bubbles. There are definitely different styles from sweet with fat bubbles, to dry and very crisp with tight bubbles like a Brut. Also, Sparkling Sake usually has a lower alcohol content than typical sake with ranges from 5%-12%. And best of all Sparkling Sake works well in Champagne flutes to capture the bubble play, and pairs well with Champagne fare.
Nigori -
This popular category of sake represents the famous “cloudy”, “milky”, or “foggy” sake that has rice particles left in the brew and are not totally filtered out. Many Americans refer to “Nigori” sake as “Unfiltered” sake, but this is a misnomer as all sake is filtered to a degree. This is when we are speaking about filtering out all of those unfermented rice particles, but many brewers will coarsely filter their sake and then add back the unfermented rice particles. Nigori sake comes in all styles and thicknesses. From very creamy and thick to very light and almost misty, called “Usu-Nigori.” Coarsely filtered sake should always be served chilled and it’s always important to undulate or gently shake the bottle before serving. As for food pairings, Nigori sake goes well with spicy cuisines, fruit plates, cheese plates, and of course deserts.
Hakutsuru Sayuri Junmai Nigori "Little Lily"
best selling nigori.This coarsely filtered sake has a very light nose filled with cream, cherry blossom, and white grape elements. “Little Lily” is a very special Nigo...
View full detailsHomare Strawberry Nigori
semi-thick, semi-rich, strawberry.The nose on this incredibly popular infused Nigori is a very straightforward collection of strawberry, cream, honey, and rice aromas. A super fan-f...
View full detailsRihaku Tokubetsu Junmai Nigori "Dreamy Clouds"
the connoisseur's nigori.A complex aroma profile touching on steamed rice, cream, slight toffee, and a hint of plum skin. This Nigori is the complete package for those look...
View full detailsMurai Family Nigori Genshu "Peach River"
very strong, very cloudy.This coarsely filtered or Nigori sake has a plump nose filled with sweet cream, grape, honey, and yogurt elements. At 19.9% ABV, one would expect a...
View full detailsShirakawago Sasanigori Junmai Ginjo Nigori "Bamboo Leaf"
vanilla, white bread, slippery.The nose on this perennial cloudy sake favorite is a nice collection of steamed rice, vanilla, raisin, yogurt, and yeasty aromas. Basically, this i...
View full detailsDewazakura Tobiroku Ginjo Sparkling Nigori "Festival of Stars"
a brut lovers bubbly brew.This drier Sparkling sake has a unique nose filled with grape, tangy citrus, plum and yogurt aromas. Tight, crisp and dry, this is a “Brut” lovers ...
View full detailsKizakura Nigori Sake
a kyoto classic.This cloudy or "Nigori" sake has gentle nose filled with cherry, citrus and cream components. Wow! Looks can be deceiving as this fluffy looking br...
View full detailsSuehiro Poochi Poochi Sparkling "Sound of Bubbles Popping"
steamed rice, hay, effervescent.A deep and rich aroma is filled with hints of lemons and candy. This Sparkling sake is a refreshing dance of small bubbles with a gentle sweetness....
View full detailsIchinokura Suzune Sparkling "Chiming Bells"
discovered for the usa by true sake.This is the most celebrated Sparkling sake in Japan, and for good reason. The nose on this very limited release brew is a rich collection of yeast,...
View full detailsKamoizumi Nigori Ginjo Nama "Summer Snow"
melon, cotton candy, voluptuous.*NOTE: This sake is unpasteurized. We can ship unpasteurized sake, however it is at the customer's discretion. It's best to avoid shipping unpasteu...
View full detailsMomokawa Yuki Tora Nigori Cup “Snow Tiger”
horchata, crème brûlée, smooth.The nose on this cloudy sake is a gentle collection of cream, warm milk, toasted rice, and mozzarella aromas. Chewy, slippery, soft, and smooth thi...
View full detailsFukucho Junmai Sparkling "Seaside"
bright, pear, crisp.The nose on this secondary bottle fermented (not carbonated) Sparkling brew is a tight collection of yogurt, cream, yeast, citrus, and Lemonhead™ c...
View full detailsIchinokura Suzune Sparkling "Wabi"
extremely elegant, flavorful.The nose on this Sparkling sake that gets its bubbles from a second fermentation in the bottle (as opposed to being carbonated) is a bright collect...
View full detailsNiwa no Uguisu Doburoku
kiwi, sweet, illegal.This sake is a throwback to when people used to make their own hooch or “moonshine sake” that was illegal, not approved by the government and wasn’...
View full detailsHeiwa Shuzo Nigori
pear, soft, classy.The nose on this very classy cloudy sake has a wonderful collection of vanilla, cream, ice cream, and steamed rice aromas. This is a great addition...
View full detailsHarushika Tokimeki Sparkling "Heartbeats"
balanced, creamy, refreshing.The nose on this lovingly packaged Sparkling sake is a gentle collection of yeast, dried fruits, peach, and cream aromas. Say hello to a very well-...
View full detailsHomare Lychee Nigori
semi-thick, semi-rich, lychee.From the importer Wismettac fka Nishimoto: Introducing Homare Sake Breweries' exquisite Lychee Nigori Sake, a captivating blend that will transpor...
View full detailsGozenshu Bodaimoto Usu Nigori "Nigori of the Ancients"
unripe pear, sour apple, fun!The nose on this misty unfiltered sake is yeasty collection of creamy, sour, and ricey aromas. Talk about a cocktail drinker’s Nigori sake! This sn...
View full detailsGokyo Ne Ne Sparkling "Five Bridges"
grapes, chewy, quick.This luscious Sparkling sake has a nose filled with sweet rice, minerals, mint, and melon aromas. Use a Champagne flute to catch the most impressiv...
View full detailsHomare Chocolat Nigori
cocoa, chocolate, dessert.The nose on this is a collection of sweet, cocoa, hot chocolate, and chocolate powder drink aromas. Behold, a chocolate Nigori that drinks pretty m...
View full detailsKatafune Junmai Nigori
sweet rice, coconut, professional.The nose on this coarsely filtered or Nigori sake is loaded with mint, milk, yogurt and vanilla aromas. Say hello to a really cool sake. Why cool? ...
View full detailsShiramayumi Gassho no Sato Nigori Cup "Doburoku Festival"
thick, sweet, portable.Keigetsu 50 Junmai Daiginjo "NIGORI"
elegant, balanced, extraordinary.The nose on this globally popular "unfiltered" (technically a misnomer) sake is a gentle collection of melon, apple, lime, dairy, coconut water, Sp...
View full detailsOtokoyama Sparkling "Kita no Inaho"
sweet, banana, refreshing.The nose on this very cool sparkling sake is a gentle collection of potpourri, orange zest, lemon water, peach jam, yogurt, and 7-Up™ aromas. Say h...
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