Kido Junmai Ginjō Namazake Shiboritate

Kido Junmai Ginjō Namazake Shiboritate (紀土 純米吟醸 しぼりたて) is a seasonal, limited edition crafted using Gohyakumangoku rice harvested this year. It boasts a refreshing and sweet aroma reminiscent of Muscat grapes, creating a stunning and elegant impression. The mouthfeel is fresh and soft, with a light effervescence. The rich and gentle sweetness and umami flavour blend seamlessly with the clear and fruity acidity, spreading across the palate. The taste is well-defined, filling the tongue. A soft aftertaste lingers, followed by a refreshing, crisp finish. It is a well-balanced sake.

Kido is one of the brands of Heiwa Brewery.

Best served between 5°C and 15°C.

Heiwa Shuzō in Mizonokuchi, Kainan City, Wakayama, was founded in 1928 by Yamamoto Yasushi. When he assumed the headship of the Yamamoto family, who had been Buddhist temple caretakers for generations, from his father-in-law, Taniguchi Taro of the Edo-era Taniguchi Brewery, he decided to start his brewery, driven by his passion for sake. The brewery is sometimes still called "Chōgan-ji" due to the mountain and temple name "Muryōzan Chōgan-ji" (無量山超願寺) at the time.

Heiwa Brewery faced numerous challenges throughout its history, including being forced to suspend operations during World War II due to war mobilization. Even after the war, resuming sake brewing took significant time. Yamamoto Yasumasa, the second-generation owner, passionately pleaded for the brewery's reopening in the Diet, inspiring many with his heartfelt speech about the desire to brew sake in a peaceful era. Thanks to his efforts, the brewery was eventually allowed to reopen. This aspiration for peaceful times led to the brewery's name, "Heiwazake" (Peace Sake).

Despite the reopening, challenges persisted. The brewery could not reclaim its original building and had to rent a building from Taniguchi Brewery in Wakaura temporarily. During this challenging period, the "Wakatsuru" brand, named after a poem from the Manyōshū, provided support. After over a decade, the brewery finally returned to its original location in Mizunokuchi. However, rebuilding the brewery from scratch proved challenging, and for a time, Heiwazake operated as a subsidiary of a significant Kyoto-based sake manufacturer. Determined to produce their own sake, the brewery shifted its focus to selling its brand. Since then, Heiwa Brewery has won numerous awards at the National New Sake Appraisal Competition and continues producing sake that reflects Wakayama Prefecture's character.