Taisetsu Junmai Ginjo “Garden of the Divine”

At a Glance: A super clean and mellow brew from snowy Hokkaido. Taisetsu is a little fruity, a little earthy, and light as a feather.  

Brewed in frigid Asahikawa, Hokkaido— Taisetsu Junmai Ginjo 大雪純米吟 is a great representation of the mountainous region’s seishu. The rice, Ginpu 吟風, is locally grown and a Hokkaido specialty. The soft brewing water is sourced from a subterranean arm of the Chubetsu River 忠別川. Asahikawa’s intense snowfall provides the source. And the city’s severe winter temperatures, plus this snow, create an ideal habitat to gently age this brew– in a giant Ice Dome.

The end result is a moderately fragrant, mellow, fruity, and relatively dry sake. Specific descriptors include lemon peel, melon, steamed rice, wet concrete, and dried flowers.  

Pairing / Service 

This is a great sake to try with ramen, especially when made with a soy-sauce base. It also complements most nigiri/sashimi– especially uni, kani, salmon, kanpachi/hamachi, and maguro. Maki rolls too, if not overly sauced or “exotic”.  Taisetu’s clean and dry nature also makes it a refreshing pairing with tempura. 

Taisetsu Junmai Ginjo 大雪純米吟 is best served either chilled (hana-hie 花冷え to suzu-hie 涼冷え; 41-59°F) or gently warmed (nuru-kan ぬる癇; 104-113°F). A white wine glass will enhance the aromatics and structure. The sake will taste drier as well. Smaller o-choko will highlight the fruit and lighten the body. 

Tech & Production Info

Rice: Ginpu 吟風 milled to 45%  Yeast: unknown

SMV: +3  Acid: 1.3  Amino Acid: 1.1  ABV: 15-16%

aged 6 months in an igloo made outside the brewery each winter

Junmai Ginjo 純米吟    MTC Tech Sheet

the Takasago Brewery

Brewery: Takasago Shuzo 高砂酒造   Location: Asahikawa, Hokkaido

EST: 1889    Official Site– Japanese    fantastic info from eSake

Takasago 高砂 is one of the more well-known breweries of Hokkaido– arguably only behind neighboring (Hokkai) Otokoyama. The brewery is very focused on locally grown rice, particularly Hokkaido’s Ginpu 吟風 shuzokoutekimai. What they don’t grow themselves, they contract out to nearby farmers. A subterranean arm of the Chubetsu River 忠別川 is used as their water source. This soft water plus the brewery’s slow and cold ice dome aging results in a mellow brew with a somewhat youthful character. Takasago Shuzo 高砂酒造 sake tends to be relatively light and dry.   

Takasago Shuzo has three primary brands: Takasago 高砂, Kokushimuso 国士無双, and Taisetsu 大雪. Their flagship sake is Ginga Shizuku 銀河雫 Junmai Daiginjo 純米大吟.

 

Label Translation  

Taisetsu 大雪

Takasago 高砂  Takasago Shuzo 高砂酒造 

Junmai Ginjo 純米吟

Ginpu 吟風

Asahikawa-shi 旭川市  Hokkaido 北海道