Tozai - "Living Jewel" Junmai (300ml)
Price: $11.00
| Producer | Tozai |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Kyoto |
| Type | Koshihikari |
| Sku | 011310 |
| ABV | 14.90% |
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Tozai, literally translated “East-West” in Japanese, is the result of the collaborative passion, skill, and experience of dedicated people from both Eastern and Western backgrounds. In March 2004, during a trip to Japan, Vine Connections partners Ed Lehrman and Nick Ramkowsky met with several individuals who all converged on a similar new idea: create a brand of super-premium, artisanal sake that is delicious to drink, beautifully packaged and labeled with original art work, widely distributed in the U.S., and all at a reasonable price for sake lovers and novices alike. After a year of diligent and creative work on both sides of the Pacific, Tozai became a reality with the first two releases (Feb. 2005), “Well of Wisdom” Honjozo and “Voices in the Mist” Honjozo Nigori.
Kizakura Brewery — the Pride of Fushimi (Kyoto Prefecture) Having produced sake for just over 50 years, Kizakura brewery is a youngster in their stable of premium sake producers. They are bound by a quest for making incredible sake, whether for everyday drinking or for high-end, special occasion sake. They built their brewery in Fushimi in the southern part of Kyoto prefecture with their eye on two things:
- Kyoto's especially frigid winters, called “So-ko-bi-e”, are ideal for creating stable, cold temperatures inside the brewery that help keep fermentation temperatures down and extend fermentation time so that delicate flavors and aromas remain in the sake.
- The local “Fushi-Mizu” or crystal clear, underground “Fushimi Water” is well known for bringing out the full flavor of the sake.
The label image is a Japanese "koi" whose vibrant colors and shimmering scales have earned them the moniker "living jewels".
Sake Facts Quality Grade: Junmai Seimaibuai: 70% (30% of rice grain polished away) Rice: Koshihikari Yeast: Brewer's Original Nihonshu-do: 6.5 Alcohol: 14.9% Acidity: 1.6.
The aromas of white grape, anise, and a hint of sweet rice are quite complex. These same flavors come rushing through the medium-bodied palate which has a slightly creamy texture followed by a hint of white pepper and fresh herbal notes. The long, clean finish makes this a great sippping sake as well as a companion to a wide range of foods.
