{"title":"Sake","description":"Sake may be close to being a perfect beverage. I mean, rice is a perfect food, right? Correct. \n\nGiven Australia’s incredibly diverse culinary landscape, it makes sense that we explore the beverages that come with it. Naturally, sake is a friend to Japanese cuisine, being its traditional and true home. A little junmai number with a spot of nigiri is going to tickle all the right spots in your palate, and your tum. However, given the infinitely malleable ways this humble drink can express itself –  from deeply savoury, umami party, forest drenched, sunlight washed, fruit basket, delicate, rustic, complex, simple and sweet, sparkling, honeyed, floral –  it makes sense that there are endless situations and meals you can sip this drink with. There’s also a lot of ceremony and artistry to how sake is consumed; it’s a pensive drink, one to take your time with. Not a fan of the pure stuff? Thankfully they thought of that too. Cue yuzushu or umeshu, where yuzu or plum (respectively) have been blended with sake to provide a refreshing and completely addictive aperitif. \n\nBut first, some background stats to empower you on your sake journey. Mainly because it’s a truly unique beverage and understanding a few key terms will open your world up to so many different intricacies within the sake world. To make sake you need a few things. Sake rice, for one. It’s different to the rice we eat, harsher and much more aromatic. Most say it's not super good to munch on. This rice is polished, to remove the bran and harsher starches, then steamed, to be made into a mash. Then, water. Cool, calm, crystal clean water that flows from melted glaciers and quiet springs. Most breweries are built near the water source, or sometimes even over the top of them. It is involved in every part of the brewing process. Most importantly, you need koji. Koji is a friendly little fungus used to make many fermented foods, including miso and shoyu. The koji is sprinkled over the steamed rice mash, and it happily converts the starch to sugar. Then, yeast steps in, eating the glucose and turning it to alcohol. All the while allowing all kinds of aromatics to appear. It is a complicated process, involving three fermentations, two of which occur simultaneously – the only fermented beverage in which this occurs. \n\n","products":[{"product_id":"heiwashuzotsuru-umeyuzushu","title":"Heiwa Shuzo - Yuzu-shu","description":"\u003cp\u003eJapanese limoncello! This Yuzushu is crafted with one-year-old Junmai Sake and Yuzu juice, at a 1:1 ratio (higher than most Yuzushu). The yuzu is juiced with its peel, harnessing all the qualities of the fruit: sweet, sour and bitter. Aromas of fresh yuzu with a zesty, citrus tart character and a sweet, crisp finish. Serve chilled, on the rocks, with soda or in a cocktail. YUM.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeiwa Shuzō was established in 1928 in Wakayama prefecture. Their goal is to create products that reflect the landscape, climate and raw materials of their region. Working directly with Yuzu farmers allows Heiwa Shuzō to secure some of the finest fruit in the country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Heiwa Shuzo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32036409278510,"sku":"10834","price":73.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0015\/4216\/0430\/products\/Winona-Wine-Heiwa-Shuzo-Tsuru-Ume-Yuzushu-Heiwa-Shuzo-SAKE.png?v=1687680250"},{"product_id":"kitajima-sake-brewery-yuzushu","title":"Kitajima Sake Brewery - Sea Salt Yuzushu","description":"\u003cp\u003eSea Salt Yuzushu! Say no more. This epic yuzushu is crafted with all natural ingredients – sake, sea salt and four times the yuzu of a regular yuzushu! This gives it a rich and luxurious mouthfeel that lingers on the palate for a loooong time, finishing with distinctive sea salt. So moreish. Aperitif, digestif, any-tif.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kitajima Sake Brewery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44382256857264,"sku":"4995230003739","price":63.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0015\/4216\/0430\/files\/Winona-Wine-Kitajima-Sake-Brewery-Sea-Salt-Yuzushu-Kitajima-Sake-Brewery-SAKE.png?v=1745844079"},{"product_id":"kinoshita-tamagawa-2025-ice-breaker-500ml","title":"Kinoshita Shuzo - 2025 Tamagawa 'Ice Breaker' 500ml","description":"\u003cp\u003eKinoshita Shuzo was founded in the town of Kumihama, Kyoto prefecture in 1842. The present 11th generation Kuramoto (Brewery Owner) is Yoshito Kinoshita and together with Toji (Master Brewer) Philip Harper; established the exceptional Tamagawa sake range.The name Tamagawa, or “Jewel River,” pays tribute both to this waterway and to the deep respect for water that runs through Shinto tradition and the brewery’s own philosophy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Tamagawa Ice Breaker is made from Nihonbare rice polished to 60%. This brilliant sake has a off-dry fruity mouthfeel, hints of aniseed and melon and fine refreshing acidity. Drink chilled or over ice! - Black Market Sake, Importer. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kinoshita","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45014878126256,"sku":"26370","price":51.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0015\/4216\/0430\/files\/Winona-Wine-Kinoshita-Tamagawa-2025-Ice-Breaker-500ml-Kinoshita-SAKE.png?v=1773837707"},{"product_id":"moriki-shuzo-hanabusa-jungin","title":"Moriki Shuzo - Hanabusa Jungin","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Hanabusa Jungin is made from Yamada's Nishiki rice grown organically by the Moriki's. It's got a gentle, soft aroma of aniseed with fresh apple driven palate providing a smooth flavour and elegant sweetness and a long finish. A balance of finesse and structure. Polishing 50% and 17% abv.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MORIKI","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45505149534384,"sku":"21071","price":118.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0015\/4216\/0430\/files\/Winona-Wine-Moriki-Shuzo-Hanabusa-Jungin-MORIKI-SAKE.png?v=1786020059"},{"product_id":"0adfd74a-150d-11e9-fa42-5caf8f6dcfe7","title":"CHIYO - 2019 'MOROMI NIGORI'","description":"\u003cp\u003ehe Moromi Nigori is directly bottled from the tank, only given a very coarse filter, and thus contains fermentation sediment. Very fragrant notes of fresh ferment. The palate is dry and textural with the slightset hint of spritz. A wonderful aperitif. - Black Market Sake, Importer. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CHIYO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45505430061232,"sku":"10402","price":81.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0015\/4216\/0430\/files\/Winona-Wine-CHIYO-2019-MOROMI-NIGORI-CHIYO-SAKE.png?v=1786106449"},{"product_id":"kirei-2024-karakuchi-80","title":"Kirei - 2024 'Karakuchi 80'","description":"","brand":"Kirei","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45778098159792,"sku":"27019","price":64.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0015\/4216\/0430\/files\/Winona-Wine-Kirei-2024-Karakuchi-80-Kirei-SAKE.png?v=1793882420"},{"product_id":"kinoshita-tamagawa-2025-red-label","title":"Kinoshita Shuzo - 2025 Tamagawa Red Label","description":"","brand":"Kinoshita","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45778098192560,"sku":"27021","price":65.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0015\/4216\/0430\/files\/Winona-Wine-Kinoshita-Shuzo-2025-Tamagawa-Red-Label-Kinoshita-SAKE.png?v=1793882422"},{"product_id":"kinoshita-tamagawa-2024-time-machine","title":"Kinoshita Shuzo - 2024 Tamagawa 'Time Machine'","description":"","brand":"Kinoshita","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45778098258096,"sku":"27020","price":54.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0015\/4216\/0430\/files\/Winona-Wine-Kinoshita-Shuzo-2024-Tamagawa-Time-Machine-Kinoshita-SAKE.png?v=1793882423"},{"product_id":"kidoizumi-2025-shizenmai-sparkling-360ml","title":"Kidoizumi - 2025 'Shizenmai Sparkling' 360ml","description":"","brand":"Kidoizumi","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45778098290864,"sku":"4512714113144","price":72.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0015\/4216\/0430\/files\/Winona-Wine-Kidoizumi-2025-Shizenmai-Sparkling-360ml-Kidoizumi-SAKE.png?v=1793882426"},{"product_id":"uehara-shuzo-furosen-kameno-o","title":"Uehara Shuzo - Furosen Kameno-o","description":"\u003cp\u003ehe current Kuramoto [Brewery Owner] is Isao Uehara and he is the the 7th-generation of his family to own \u0026amp; operate Uehara Shuzo, founded in 1862. Located on the north-western shore of Lake Biwa in Takashima, where the streets are lined with canals carrying fresh spring water, Uehara Shuzo uses this famously pure water to brew its Sake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKameno-o is an ancient table rice variety which produces more robust and deeply flavoured Sake that have a good potential for ageing. The ‘Furosen Kameno-o’ is Junmai Ginjo with the rice polished down to 55%. This Yamahai (traditional starter ferment) sake utilises natural yeast to ferment and is also Muroka Nama Genshu (no charcoal filtration, unpasteurised and undiluted).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis version of Kameno-o from Uehara Shuzo is an excellent example, showing a balanced and savoury character with wonderful ripe fruit and a striking focused backbone. Delicious on its own or with food. - Black Market Sake, Importer\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Uehara Shuzo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45783051337904,"sku":"27336","price":101.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0015\/4216\/0430\/files\/Winona-Wine-Uehara-Shuzo-Furosen-Kameno-o-Uehara-Shuzo-SAKE.png?v=1793968904"},{"product_id":"eigashima-shuzo-yamato-damashi-mizumoto-junmai-daigingo","title":"Eigashima Shuzo - Yamato Damashi Mizumoto Junmai Daigingo","description":"\u003cp\u003eEigashima Shuzo is located in the city of Akashi in Hyogo Prefecture, west of Kobe, facing the Seto Inland Sea. It was founded in 1888 and today produces a wide array of sake, shochu and whisky (under the White Oak label).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe Yamato Damashii Mizumoto is made from \u003cspan class=\"s7\"\u003eNihonbare\u003c\/span\u003e rice polished \u003cspan class=\"s7\"\u003eto\u003c\/span\u003e 70% remaining. This sake is made using the \u003cspan class=\"s7\"\u003eMizumoto\u003c\/span\u003e method of starter fermentation, which is known as a \u003cspan class=\"s7\"\u003e'pre-modern'\u003c\/span\u003e method of creating sake. A medium-bodied sake with wonderful \u003cspan class=\"s7\"\u003etexture\u003c\/span\u003e and a bright acidic lift. - Black Market Sake, Importer\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Eigashima","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45783052091568,"sku":"27337","price":83.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0015\/4216\/0430\/files\/Winona-Wine-Eigashima-Shuzo-Yamato-Damashi-Mizumoto-Junmai-Daigingo-Eigashima-SAKE.png?v=1793968911"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0015\/4216\/0430\/collections\/DSC00516-EditResized.png?v=1653346557","url":"https:\/\/winonawine.com\/collections\/sake\/variety_sparkling.oembed","provider":"Winona Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}