Sake specs
- Prefecture
- Niigata (新潟)
- Rice type
- Domestic rice (国産米)
- Polishing rate (semaibuai)
- 50%
- Alcohol content
- 16%
- SMV
- +1
- Acidity
- 1.4
Echigozakura Daiginjō Teion (越後桜酒造 大吟醸 低温) is made of rice grown in Niigata and polished to 50%. It is a limited summer edition with an exquisite balance of sweet aroma and sharpness. Its mellow dry flavour goes well with food and can be enjoyed hot or cold.
About the brewery
- Brewery
- Echigozakura Shuzō
- Name in Japanese
- 越後桜酒造
- Address
- 1-7-13 Yamaguchichō, Agano, Niigata 959-2005
- Phone
- 0250-62-2033
- Website
Echigozakura Brewery is located in Agano City (阿賀野市), Niigata Prefecture. Lake Hyōko (瓢湖) in Agano is famous as a stopover site for swans on their annual migration. The brewery was founded in 1890 in the town of Mizuhara (旧水原町, nowadays Agano City) and began brewing sake under the name of Shirai Sake Brewery (白井酒造). Rice cultivation has flourished in the rich natural environment of Mount Gozu (五頭山) and the Agano River. In 2009, the 100-year-old brewery underwent a complete renovation, equipped with state-of-the-art machinery.
Echigozakura's commitment to ginjō-style brewing involves using a colander to ensure that the rice absorbs water evenly and utilising a seiro kettle (せいろ釜) for steaming rice, thereby approximating the traditional Japanese kettle boiling method. The fermentation tanks, large enough to be oared by a person, are sealed with a particular shape to preserve the aroma of the daiginjō. The temperature is thoroughly controlled in 0.1°C increments from the rice soaking to the fermentation and storage of the unrefined sake.
The warehouse at the brewery is called Shiratorizō (白鳥蔵, "White Bird Warehouse"), inspired by the swans that inhabit Lake Hyōko. During the Coronavirus pandemic, the brewery offers virtual tours with VR goggles.
Echigozakura's commitment to ginjō-style brewing involves using a colander to ensure that the rice absorbs water evenly and utilising a seiro kettle (せいろ釜) for steaming rice, thereby approximating the traditional Japanese kettle boiling method. The fermentation tanks, large enough to be oared by a person, are sealed with a particular shape to preserve the aroma of the daiginjō. The temperature is thoroughly controlled in 0.1°C increments from the rice soaking to the fermentation and storage of the unrefined sake.
The warehouse at the brewery is called Shiratorizō (白鳥蔵, "White Bird Warehouse"), inspired by the swans that inhabit Lake Hyōko. During the Coronavirus pandemic, the brewery offers virtual tours with VR goggles.