Jugetsushizenryu Tokubetsu Junmaishu
First, There is Water: Jizake Brewing that Leverages the Local Climate and Terroir.
The forest on the mountain rising behind the brewery. When you speak of the deliciousness of Suzunoi Shuzoten's sake, you must first speak of this mountain, an indispensable, nature-rich presence. "Japanese giant flying squirrels live here, and occasionally, even bears appear," says Chairman Jousuke Suzuki. "But most importantly, the mountain provides an abundance of the pure, clean water that is so crucial for sake brewing." This is Tenei Village, a place of dramatic temperature variations and long famed as one of Fukushima's leading granaries, known for its exceptional rice. Chairman Suzuki proudly calls it, "the best possible location for a sake brewery."
The definitive sake born from this blessed terroir is the limited-edition 'Unfiltered Junmai Ginjo Jugetsu Shizuku Sake.' It is crafted with 'Kame no O' sake rice, cultivated by local contract farmers, and brewed with the brewery's prized soft water. Here, the cool climate, even in the midst of summer, patiently nurtures the yeast and allows the umami to mature. The result is a sake that is beautifully light and refreshingly crisp.
"While the standard-grade 'Suzunoi' is the cherished mainstay for the local community, we receive many orders for our 'limited-edition' sake from outside the prefecture," says Rina Suzuki. This special lineup also includes the 'Hiyaoroshi' and 'Muroka' (unfiltered). These three limited-edition sakes, whose brand strength is growing year after year, are definitely ones to watch.
A Brewery Brewing for Over 200 Years in Tenei Village 🍶🌾✨
Tenei Village, Iwase District, Fukushima Prefecture. Suzunoi Shuzoten, which has been in business since the 8th year of the Bunka era (1811), is located in this village blessed with water and greenery that nurtures Tenei Rice 🌾.
From the thicket on the mountain behind the brewery, soft water so pure that skunk cabbage and wasabi grow wild flows endlessly. Using this exquisite water and locally grown rice, their motto is "to brew sake suited to the local area, using ingredients harvested in that local area." This is the creed of Suzunoi that has been passed down for over 200 years.
Taking a tour inside the brewery, large wooden vats, which are rare these days, catch your eye. Hearing the story, "In the past, before using them, we would take them apart entirely, coat them with mud to repair them, and then retighten the hoops," conveys just how tremendous the manual labor of sake brewing was back then. This delicate and persevering artisan spirit continues to flow as the foundation of Suzunoi's taste today.
Their representative brand is "Jugetsu." 🍶
"Sake should not be the main character, but rather a supporting actor that enhances the time you spend with your loved ones."
True to its name (which includes the character for 'moon'), its charm lies not in the showiness of the sun, but in a profound grace like the moonlight that quietly illuminates the night.
🍶 Jugetsu Shizenryu
It features a refreshing aroma like apples and a flavor that shines despite being crisp and dry. From chilled to piping hot, it gently complements any dish.
🍶 Jugetsu Junmai Ginjo Kameno-o
Brewed using the rare sake rice "Kameno-o," which the Toji (master brewer) himself cultivated with great care. A fresh, rich aroma reminiscent of melon will fill your heart.
Suzunoi's sake is so beloved locally that people line up from early in the morning to buy it. With over 90% of it consumed locally, mainly in Tenei Village, it is truly a bottle for connoisseurs.
Why not quietly tip a glass of "Jugetsu" while thinking of the hand-crafted work of the artisans and the rich earth of Tenei? 🍶✨
🏘️: Suzunoi Shuzoten @sake_suzunoi
📍: 1 Makinouchi Yanaka, Tenei Village, Iwase District, Fukushima Prefecture
🌾: "Great rice, great water, great people. Fukushima sake 🍶"
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