5 local sake selections from Fukushima | Introducing sake recommended as souvenirs and gifts for loved ones

Fukushima prefecture has the highest number of gold medals in the country at the National New Sake Awards ! It is attracting attention as one of the best sake producing areas in the country. When some people want to take Fukushima's delicious sake as a souvenir or gift, they may be confused as to which one to choose.

In this article, we will carefully select and introduce 5 brands of delicious local sake that Fukushima Prefecture is proud of that are recommended as souvenirs and gifts. If you want to choose a dish that will please alcohol lovers, please refer to this list.

What are the characteristics of Fukushima's local sake?

Fukushima Prefecture is home to 66 sake breweries The reason is rice and water.

Rice cultivation is flourishing in the basin, which is blessed with abundant water sources and flat land. The natural environment is harsh but relaxed, and the difference in temperature and rich soil are essential for producing delicious rice.

Additionally, the area surrounded by mountains produces clear water. Water is the lifeblood of rice and sake. The delicious underground water from various parts of the prefecture has made sake breweries prosperous.

One of the characteristics of Fukushima Prefecture's sake is its wide variety of flavors. Each sake brewery has the technical ability to create a variety of sake, from rich sweetness to sharp dryness.

The high quality of Fukushima's sake can be seen from the fact that it has won the most gold medals in Japan at the National New Sake Appraisals, which has been going on since the Meiji era.

5 local sake selections from Fukushima | Find the item that will make a great gift

Fukushima has a lot of high-quality sake, but with so many available, some people find it difficult to choose one. Therefore, this time we have selected 5 recommended sakes that are sure to make great souvenirs and gifts.

  • Hiroki
  • Photography
  • Lily
  • musical instrument masamune
  • Yaemon

I will explain each in detail.

Hiroki: Hiroki Sake Brewery Main Store/Aizu Sakashita Town

Aizu Sakashita Town is a thriving area for sake brewing, with three sake breweries. Among them, Hiroki is known throughout the country as a popular brand that is difficult to obtain.

Since its release in 1999, it has a history of becoming a sake with a large presence in Japanese sake. It seems that he pioneered the genre of unfiltered unprocessed sake and helped spread his name.

Hiroki is characterized by its exquisite balance of sweetness, flavor, and aroma. Made with Yamada Nishiki, this sake has a subtle aroma, a smooth texture, and a neutral taste that will make you realize, ``This is what delicious sake is like.''

If you have the opportunity to get your hands on one, we recommend purchasing it without hesitation.

Link: Fukushima trip – Hiroki Sake Brewery Main Store

Photo: Miyaizumi Meijo/Aizuwakamatsu City

Sharaku is also one of the premium brands that is very popular and difficult to obtain. It is made with care and a focus on freshly squeezed deliciousness.

Sharaku's taste is characterized by its strong rice flavor and enjoys a fruity, mellow aroma similar to that of Japanese sake. Because of its sharp and well-balanced taste, it has gained a reputation as an almighty drink that can be paired with any kind of food.

It's also a good idea to give the gift of delicious local gourmet food to go with alcohol. Aizuwakamatsu City also has specialties that drink lovers will love, such as pickled herring with Japanese pepper and horse sashimi.

Link: Miyaizumi Meijo official website

Lily: Tsurunoe Sake Brewery/Aizuwakamatsu City

A product made by Tsurunoe Sake Brewery, famous for ``Aizu Chusho''. This sake was created by a female brewer together with her mother, who is a certified sake brewer. The beautiful blue and transparent bottle design is also impressive.

Yuri's taste is light and clear, and although it is dry, it has a gentle sweetness. The gorgeous scent has a strong presence, but it is also elegant without being too overpowering.

The fact that it was served at a dinner party for President Trump suggests that it is easy to pair with not only Japanese food but also Western food. Why not give it as a stylish and delicate dinner companion?

Link: Tsurunoe Sake Brewery official website

Musical instrument Masamune: Okiyoyoshi main store/Yabuki town

This is the representative brand of Oki Daikichi Main Store, which is the counterpart to ``Shizenkyo''. The stylish bottle design is also an eye-catcher.

You can enjoy a gorgeous, fragrant freshness and a sharp, light elegance. It is a sake with a strong presence, rich in sweetness and sourness. Why not enjoy it casually when you're tired of everyday life or when you want to laugh and drink with friends?

Link: Okiyoyoshi main store official website

Yaemon: Yamatogawa Sake Brewery/Kitakata City

A brand name from Yamatogawa Sake Brewery, which is also a popular tourist brewery.

This sake is characterized by its soft rice flavor and clear taste. Unlike dry sake that is just watery, the flavor of rice leaves a gentle impression from the moment you put it in your mouth to the aftertaste. It has little acidity, so even people who don't like the smell of alcohol may find it easy to drink.

It is also recommended as a drink to enjoy with your meal, so it is also recommended as a gift for couples and families to enjoy together.

Link: Yamatogawa Sake Brewery Official Website

summary

In this article, we introduced 5 local sakes from Fukushima Prefecture that are recommended as souvenirs and gifts.

Fukushima Prefecture is home to many delicious sakes made from delicious water and rice. Among them, when it comes to gifts for alcohol lovers, you want to choose something that will make them happy.

Please use this as a reference when shopping in Fukushima Prefecture.

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