Niigata Prefecture ranks first in Japan in per capita sake sales (consumption)*. It also has the most sake breweries in the country with 1, and with plenty of delicious local sake to choose from nearby, it goes without saying that Niigata residents love sake, and this figure also includes gift purchases.

This data shows that Niigata sake is loved by the people of the prefecture as a local sake, and that it is because of this love that people have a strong desire to have their loved ones drink it or give it as a gift.

To mark the season of farewells, we asked a sake store professional who specializes in selecting sake what kind of Niigata sake would be best to give as a parting gift.

*Reiwa 3 (XNUMX) survey by the National Tax Agency

For sake connoisseurs, this is the type

What type of Niigata sake would be best to give to someone who loves sake and is also knowledgeable about sake outside of the prefecture?

"I recommend high-quality sake that you wouldn't normally buy for yourself. It's good to have sake that even connoisseurs will find special." (Liquor store Yamasa(Sekikawa Village, Iwafune District). Every year, more and more sake breweries, regardless of their size, are producing premium sake with a special feel. Compare and choose one that fits your budget.

"We recommend unfiltered sake, which has a rich aroma and flavor and allows you to enjoy the natural taste, retaining the original flavor of the rice and the characteristics of the yeast, and unprocessed sake, which has a high alcohol content and a strong, full-bodied, deep flavor."New teahouse for sake(Kashiwazaki City). This bottle expresses the unique characteristics of Japanese sake in a straightforward way, and connoisseurs will find it irresistible.

"Even if it's not a famous brand, it's a hard-to-find, delicious sake"Snow Country Liquor Store Kanazawaya Liquor Store(Minami Uonuma City). It is precisely because retail sake stores have strong ties with local sake breweries that they are able to sell "hard-to-find sake." Check out the limited edition sake from each local brewery in Niigata Prefecture on the sake store's website or by stopping by a sake store when you visit for sightseeing.

Sado Island's gold and silver mines have been registered as a World Heritage Site, and the island has been attracting attention from overseas. Among the five sake breweries in Sado, "for connoisseurs, we recommend the crisp sake of Tanrei Karakuchi."Tsukamoto storeTanrei Karakuchi is the origin of Niigata sake. Nowadays, there are more and more delicious sakes, but for connoisseurs, we recommend the most classic of Niigata sakes, the dry taste of Sado sake.

"We recommend light, classical, Niigata-style sake."Miyakoya Local Sake(Niigata City) The light and refreshing taste of "The NIIGATA Classic" would also make a great gift option.

 

This type is recommended for beginners

"Something that looks stylish and has a nice design is good. The taste is something like Junmai Daiginjo sake or Daiginjoshu, which has a gorgeous taste that is best served chilled. Sake liqueur is also good, so I would like you to choose depending on how much of a beginner you are" (Sakaya Yamasa), "Modern sake that is delicious served chilled" (Jizake Miyakoya), "Something that is fruity, gentle, and on the sweet side, and goes down easy" (Tsukamoto Shoten), "Daiginjoshu with a fruity, gorgeous aroma and a smooth mouthfeel, sweet sake with a sweet and mellow taste, and sake with a low alcohol content are also recommended. I think that beginners will be able to enjoy sake with confidence if it has a colorful, friendly design and comes with instructions on how to drink it" (Sakaya Shinchaya). As such, it seems that for beginners, sake with a fruity, gorgeous taste and that is served chilled is the best introductory sake.

Junmai Ginjoshu has just the right amount of elegance, aroma, and drinkability, and is reasonably priced, so it may be a good choice depending on your budget. Sake has a higher alcohol content than other brewed alcoholic beverages, so be aware that many lower alcohol content varieties are now available on the market.

Sake liqueurs come in a wide variety of designs and flavors, including plum, yuzu, strawberry, grape, aronia, and other fruits, as well as yogurt. Find a liqueur that suits the tastes of the recipient and open the door to Niigata sake.

89 Breweries has many products that fit the above criteria. Among them, we will introduce the sake recommended by the sake stores we spoke to this time.

Recommended by a sake store. A perfect gift for a connoisseur.

"Junmai Daiginjo" (Henmi Shuzo Co., Ltd.: Sado City)

"Kantaku Honjozo Minato Kiyari" (Kato Shuzoten Co., Ltd.: Sado City)

 

"Shimeharitsuru Junmai Daiginjo RED LABEL" (Miyao Sake Brewing Co., Ltd.: Murakami City)

 

"Koyu Junmai Daiginjo" (Asahi Shuzo Sake Brewing Co., Ltd.: Nagaoka City)

"Junmai Daiginjo Hakkaisan Yukimuro Storage Three Years" (Hakkaisan Brewery Co., Ltd.: Minamiuonuma City)

"Takachiyo Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.: Minamiuonuma City"

"Kakuei Yukimuro Vintage 2018" (Aoki Shuzo Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.: Minamiuonuma City)

"Chibitagawa Ice Drops Unfiltered Daiginjo Nama Genshu" (Yoyogiku Brewery Co., Ltd.: Joetsu City)

 

A book I would like to send to beginners

"Shinryo Itaru Junmai Ginjo" (Henmi Shuzo Co., Ltd.)

"Kirinzan Nagareboshi Junmai Daiginjo Sake"(Kirinzan Shuzo Co., Ltd.: Aga Town, Higashikanbara District)

"Yoshinogawa Minamo Nakagumi Junmai Daiginjo Genshu (using Niigata S-9 yeast)" (Yoshinogawa: Nagaoka City)

"Kubota Manju Junmai Daiginjo Unfiltered Nama Genshu" (Asahi Shuzo Sake Brewing Co., Ltd.)

 

“Hakkaisan Rishu”(Hakkaisan Brewery Co., Ltd.)

Sake Tasting No.591 Harujion R5BY

Sake Tasting No.340 Yamayuri 2024 R3BY

Sake Tasting No.174 Yellow Iris R5BY

Sake Tasting No.088 Yamazakura (Yamazakura) R5BY

This series changes its theme every year, brewed under the theme of "sake that goes well with food and lifts the spirit." You can enjoy the taste that evolves year by year, expressed through the technique and sensibility of the brewers.

"Kakuei 2024 Years Bottle"(Aoki Shuzo Sake Brewery Co.,Ltd.)

"Junmai Nigorizake Sakurairo ~SAKURAIRO~"(Ayumasamune Shuzo Co., Ltd.: Myoko City)

 

Get limited edition sake at the "Niigata Sake no Jin" event or by mail order

　3Month8Sun (Sat)・9On Sunday, the 20th, the "Niigata Sake no Jin2025" will be held. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, tickets have been limited to a certain number of attendees, so they are so popular that they sell out immediately after going on sale.

 

Those lucky enough to purchase tickets are encouraged to choose a farewell gift of alcohol at the venue.80At the brewery booths, there are many types of sake, from standard to event-exclusive sake. Since the limit on the number of attendees has been set, it has become easier to communicate with the brewers, so you can hear directly from the brewers about the characteristics of the sake, how to drink it, and the thoughts behind the sake brewing process, and then make your selection while tasting.

For those who were unfortunately unable to purchase tickets, there are many limited edition sakes made to go with "Niigata Sake no Jin" available for purchase at sake stores and online from sake breweries, so be sure to check them out.

Send them off with a story

Finally, I would like to introduce some of the comments I heard from sake store owners that made a particularly strong impression on me.

"We choose our farewell sake based on the budget, the relationship with the giver, and a story behind it. If you can share some thoughts and stories about the recipient, it will help us convey our heartfelt feelings.1I think you can select books." (Local Sake Miyakoya)

 "Niigata sake is characterized by serious, careful sake brewing, supported by the history of Echigo Toji. The rice is polished more thoroughly than anywhere else in the country, and thanks to techniques for long-term, low-temperature fermentation that take advantage of the snowfall and cold of winter, the sake from each brewery is of very high quality, and it's no exaggeration to say that you can't go wrong. Among all this wonderful Niigata sake, the people of Niigata are able to give sake that makes you feel even more special, a sake that can be sent off in a splendid way. It would make me happy if you could feel proud of that." (Sakuraya Yamasa)

 

 

[Interview cooperation]

Tsukamoto store

Liquor store Yamasa

Miyakoya Local Sake

Snow Country Liquor Store Kanazawaya Liquor Store

New teahouse for sake

 

 

Neil ('CushuNotebook "" From NiigataR"issue)

Mariko Takahashi