Following hosting the Niigata Fair 2023, the wide range of sakes showcased from Niigata’s famous sake region are exclusively available at Japan Centre stores and online until Sunday 29th January.
Nurtured by the snowmelt and rich natural environment, Niigata Prefecture produces a variety of high-quality foods such as rice, Japanese sake rice wine, fruit, and fermented foods. The rice and sake that Niigata produces is said to be some of the best in Japan… Here’s the range available at Japan Centre – Europe’s largest Japanese food hall.
Niigata Fair: 12 sakes available at Japan Centre:
Hakuro HANABI / Hakuro Syuzo 300ml
Sparkling Junmai sake made with 100% rice, twice fermented in a bottle just like prosecco. This sake presents lovely natural bubbles that have acidity and umami, with a gentle sweetness melted in a fruity aroma. A new style of low alcohol sake made by Gohyakumangoku. Best served chilled. Alcohol contents 8%.
Kamosu Mori Yamadanishiki 40 / Naeba Shuzo 300ml
The elegant Ginjo aroma spreads in the palate with a sweet aroma of honey and a touch of aroma presented by Myori Yeast as the Namazake character. The faint bitterness shapes the taste of brilliant sweetness, hence bringing the light afternote. Best enjoyed well chilled allowing you to enjoy the changing aroma and note on your palate. Alcohol contents 14%.
Medaka No Yado Junmai Ginjo Nama / Niigata Meijo 300ml
This sake of low alcohol sets the scene of a clear and calming stream of the Japanese rice paddy Medaka fish’s habitat, allowing you to slowly enjoy the taste. The taste of umami by Junmai Ginjo spread across the palate because of the four times process, with a faint aroma of maple syrup. This sake is made with Sake Rice from Niigata. Best served chilled. Alcohol contents 12%.
Kashi Taru Umeshu / Kanemasu Shuzo 500ml
A refreshing and dry plum wine, made with Fujigoro Plum ripened in Niigata. The plums are soaked into aged Rice Shochu then sealed into the oak barrel, releasing a lovely refreshing acidity and the relaxed scent of aroma by the oak barrels. Enjoy the taste on the rocks, and with a splash of soda or water. Best served chilled. Alcohol contents 15%.
KAKUREI Junmai Ginjo / Aoki Shuzo 720ml
The Junmai that is brewed with the rich snowmelt water from Uonuma mountain in Niigata. This sake is balanced with a gentle rounded umami with a dry, light and soft aroma by natural flavour of the rice, you won’t get enough of this Sake. Enjoy the calming flavour even at Nuru-kan (luke-warm) at 35 to 40 degrees. Best served ambient or medium hot. Alcohol contents 15%.
Koshi no Happo Junmai DaiGinjo / Echigo Shuzo 720ml
Brewed with 100% Niigata Rice, this sake is carefully hand crafted in an authentic low temperature cellar. It has a clean finish but a rotund body, allowing you to enjoy the clear and smooth feel with a faint aroma and making it easy to drink. Best served chilled. Alcohol contents 15%.
Katafune Tokubetsu Hon Jozo / Takeda Shuzo 720ml
With a rich and deep umami and smoothness that leads to dry, the light texture makes this sake easy to drink. It has a delightful clarity when enjoyed at room temperature or enjoy the calmed flavour even at Nuru-kan (luke-warm), 35 to 40 degrees. Awarded best prize at Honjozo Sake section of IWC in 2013, 2015 & 2019. Best served ambient or medium hot. Alcohol contents 16%.
Kimi Noi Yamahai Junmaiginjo / Kimi Noi Shuzo 720ml
A Tradition of Elegant Yamahai. This Junmai Ginjo presents to delight of a smooth and clear flavour and umami, as if evoking Spring into the snowy region of Niigata. Maximise the Umami notes by enjoying chilled or at ambient temperature. Alcohol contents 15.5%.
Koshiji No Koubai Junmai Daiginjo / Kubiki Shuzo 720ml
This Junmai Daiginjo sake is hand-brewed using Koshitanrei sake rice cultivated at our brewery that has been polished to 40%.It has a gorgeous aroma and a soft, rich flavour of Umami. Cool to around 10°C and serve in a wine glass to enjoy the aroma. Best served well chilled. Alcohol Contents 16%.
Midorikawa Junmai / Midorikawa Shuzo 720ml
The harmonised blends of two sake – Based on a 12 month aged unprocessed then dry flavoured sake. This sake presents a gentle touch on the palate by the aged alcohol then a faint Umami flavour in dry smooth notes. Best paired with fresh sashimi or carpaccio. Delights in delicate and Nippoinsum taste. Best served chilled. Alcohol contents 15.5%.
Yamashiroya First Class Kimoto Junmai Daiginjo / Koshimeijo 720ml
Kimoto – a traditional brewing method, powered by natural yeast. The rustic and natural Umami is sealed in the bottle, the aroma is like banana. The Junmai Daiginjo of Yamashiroya is made to complete with the dishes to enhance the flavour as the mariage to ensure the delight of a lovely meal, especially perfect with sushi or fresh sashimi. Best served chilled. Alcohol contents 15%.
Yukyu No Mori Long aged jukusei koshu 2011 / Yoshinokawa 720ml
The dapper note of aged sake rising gently and the soft touch to the palate feels relieved at the drink. An aged umami aroma is diffused on the palate and remains in the aftertaste for a while.
Best enjoyed at room temperature or on the rocks, even enjoy hot as it sharpens the smoothness. It is a taste that goes perfectly with seasonal Japanese dishes. Best served ambient or medium hot. Alcohol contents 17%.
Explore Niigata, Japan, through its regional produce, with 25% off premium Niigata rice, authentic sake and artisanal coffee. Ends Sunday 29 January. CLICK HERE!
Where: Japan Centre / Panton Yokocho, 35 Panton Street, London SW1Y 4E
Share your thoughts in the comment box below!
Get social with us – follow and tag us! @mysohotimes #MySohoTimes
Sign up to receive the latest issue of our magazine – straight to your inbox!
Plus, we’ll share the latest news, events, and discounts from our partners in and around Soho in a MONTHLY newsletter… Ready to join the club?
MY SOHO TIMES 