Roga Junmai: US Yamada Nishiki Sake

Editor’s note: This is a sponsored review. However, the opinions shared are our own and independent.

Last Updated 2/5/21

Roga Junmai is a sake brewed in sunny L.A. by Yaegaki. Despite being brewed outside of Japan, it has a classic, mineral-driven Junmai sake profile. It also combines a low cost with and a small ecological footprint.

This post details what’s so cool about Roga, reviews the sake, and explains where you can buy your own. You’ll also learn food pairing tips, serving recommendations, and more.

Roga Junmai Overview

Roga Junmai is in a small but growing class of high-quality, American-made sake. They make use of elite Yamada Nishiki rice and brewing expertise developed for over 350 years in Japan.

In several ways, we think Roga indicates the start of a sake revolution. Let’s start with the ingredients.

California-Grown Yamada Nishiki Junmai Sake

Yamada Nishiki sake rice is considered the king of sake rice. In Japan, the production of this rice type dwarfs that of all other sakamai (sake rice). But American sake brewers haven’t had access to it until the last few years.

Instead, US sake brewers have had to make do with Calrose. This medium-grain table rice tastes good but is inferior in quality sake rice types from Japan.

Recently, a few American farmers have succeeded at growing Yamada Nishiki. One of these growers, Valley Select, is located in the Central Valley of California, not far from Yaegaki.

The Central Valley is an ideal climate for Yamada Nishiki with plentiful water, a long growing season, and big diurnal temperature swings.

This primo Yamada Nishiki is milled to 65% (remaining) for Roga. This is more milling than many Junmai sake and equates to a slightly lighter body and intensity.

High-quality rice is only one of the reasons why Roga Junmai is so competitive. Next, we’ll get into a couple more factors contributing to Roga’s value.

You can link to our Yamada Nishiki sake rice guide at the base of this article.

LA Sake: A Small Footprint with Big Value

Sake is more popular than ever in the United States. And alongside this movement, there has been an increased appreciation for local and sustainable food products.

Roga sake is well-positioned against these two trends. Instead of shipping their sake 5,500+ miles from Japan, Roga delivers the quality of Japanese sake with a much smaller footprint.

Another obvious advantage for Roga is the cost-savings advantage their location permits. Removing Japan’s taxes and shipping costs means Roga costs less than the competition.

Junmai sake from Japan usually retails for between $25-$35 (720 ml). Currently, Roga Junmai costs $15.60.

That’s a competitive price.

There are a lot of compelling reasons to consider Roga Junmai. But how does it taste?

Roga Junmai Tasting Notes

As mentioned previously, Roga has a classic Junmai sake profile. This means it’s more earthy than fruity, has a mild aromatic intensity, and a bright finish. These are broad generalizations, so let’s take a closer look.

Roga Junmai is a clear sake with a faint yellow tint. There is no sediment.

The aroma of Roga is pleasant with notes of steamed rice, dried rice, and dried flowers taking the forefront. Other descriptors include tangerine peel, faint bubblegum, tree bark, and wet concrete.

On the palate, Roga Junmai has a soft and faintly sweet first impression. Bright and ricey acidity quickly takes over. The finish is dry and lingers. Specific flavor notes include sour rice, green apple skin, lemon peel, brine, and slate.

Overall, Roga is very smooth for being a fresh and minerally sake. In this regard, it reminds of light and briny European coastal wines like Muscadet. Let’s explore this further.

The Takeaway: Who will Like Roga Junmai?

As stated above, Roga reminds a little of Muscadet. They share a profile that has combines citrus and briny minerality. And they’re both dry, crisp, and light-bodied.

The above traits mean Roga has crossover appeal for wine drinkers that like this kind of wine. Drinkers of Italian Pinot Grigio (especially Alto Adige) will also likely appreciate Roga Junmai.

It’s no accident that Roga uses a label and bottle similar to Californian wine.

Overall, Roga Junmai is an earthy sake that is somewhat masculine. Where it truly shines is when paired with food. In this regard, it is superior to the wines we’ve been comparing it to. More on that soon.

Serving Suggestions for Roga Sake

Roga Junmai tastes delicious when served at a wide variety of temperatures. From chilled to luke-warm is best. We don’t recommend Roga hot, however.

When serving Roga from cold to room temperature, we recommend using a wine glass. Stemware will highlight Roga’s aroma and crisp nature. If you like your sake bone-dry, wine glasses also help with this.

A smaller o-choko, or the bigger guinomi, are two traditional cups that will also work. The smaller the cup, the more delicate and sweet Roga will seem. However, even with a tiny sake cup, this sake will taste dry after a few sips.

Pairing Roga Junmai With Your Next Meal

Pairing Roga Junmai with food is where this sake gets exciting.

Shellfish like scallops, shrimp, and crab are all delicious with Roga. These can be served classically, like sashimi or nigiri style, or when cooked. Raw oysters are another item to pair with Roga.

Roga will also compliment oily fish sashimi like saba, sawara, king salmon, and toro. Hamachi (or salmon) kama and nitsuke are great matches, as well.

Western food can also be delicious when paired with Roga Junmai.

Seared Hokkaido scallops with squid ink pasta Puttanesca is outstanding with Roga Junmai. Indeed, rich seafood-based foods of all kinds are worth trying with this sake. Pizza with mushrooms or anchovies, fish tacos (not too spicy), and fried calamari all come to mind.

Salty or smoky cheese and charcuterie are also highly recommended.

Like Your Sake Fruity and Floral? Check Out Roga Junmai Daiginjo

Roga Junmai Daiginjo: Premium LA Sake with Yamada Nishiki Rice

About the Yaegaki Sake Brewery

Yaegaki (八重垣) was founded in 1666, in Himeji, Hyogo. Today they’re one of the most highly-regarded breweries in the sake industry.

Himeji is home to many sake breweries but is less well-known than the Nada sake brewing area in nearby Kobe.

In 1987, Yaegaki opened a sake brewery in California. They sell a mix of Himeji-brewed sake like Mu Junmai Daiginjo and their affordable US-brewed sake.

Yaegaki’s Official Website: English / 日本語

Other Posts You May Like

Yamada Nishiki 山田錦: The King of Sake Rice

Types of Sake Cups & Glasses (12 Essential Styles)