For 4 days from April 24th to 27th, 2023 (Tuesday), the ``1999 Fukumitsuya'' wine competition was held in the UK in the SAKE section of the aged sake section of the wine competition ``IWC (International Wine Challenge) 2023''. ” won the Gold Award, and ``2005 Inada Hime'' won the Bronze Award.
Established in 1984, this competition is one of the most prestigious blind tasting committees in the world. The SAKE division has grown exponentially since its founding in 2007, becoming our largest and most influential division.
1601 brands exhibited in the SAKE category this time. In addition to the aged sake category, the SAKE category is divided into nine categories, including the Junmai Sake category and the Ginjo Sake category, with 98 brands receiving the Gold Award.
In 2022, ``2010 Ryuriki'' won the Gold Award for the delicious sake of ancient times, making it the second consecutive year that it received the Gold Award.
We would like to introduce two brands that received this award.
Gold Award Winner 1999 Fukumitsuya
Sake Yamahai Junmai raw material rice: Yamada Nishiki Rice polishing ratio 65%
Alcohol content: 15 degrees Tank storage at room temperature Brewing company: Fukumitsuya
It has a balance of sweetness and acidity similar to apricot jam. Due to its long aging, it has a caramel-like and mellow aroma, and the subtle spicy aftertaste makes it an addictive taste.
~ Brewing Company Fukumitsuya Founded in 1625 Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture ~
A sake brewery with the longest history in Kanazawa, the capital of Kaga, which has cultivated a unique culture in the Hokuriku region. The clear water that took 100 years to reach from the sacred Mt. Hakusan and the climate with four distinct seasons supported sake brewing. Continuing to evolve traditional techniques, they switched all of their products to pure rice sake in 2001, and have been attracting attention.
Bronze Award Winner 2005 Princess Inada
Sake Pure rice raw material: Gouriki from Tottori Prefecture
Rice polishing ratio 75%
Alcohol content: 15 degrees Stored in bottle at room temperature
☆Sommelier's tasting comments☆
Tottori Prefecture has an advantage in cultivating the raw material ``Jyoku'', which is characterized by its unique richness and acidity. This vintage has a gorgeous aroma of sweet pineapple, a pleasant acidic and spicy aftertaste, and a crisp aftertaste.
~ Brewing company Inada Honten Founded in 1673 Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture ~
They have been brewing sake in Yonago since the early Edo period. The inscription is the god of matchmaking that appears in Izumo mythology. With a spirit of ``trying and trying'' while respecting tradition, the company has carved out history through its enterprising actions, such as being the first in the country to sell a brand exclusively for cold sake. A brewery blessed with the natural beauty of Mt. Daisen, a magnificent peak in the San'in region.
IWC homepage
https://www.internationalwinechallenge.com/
