Two outstanding low priced rice wines this winter Feb 2011

Shikizakura shiboritate namazake taka(?)zake

In this posting I will let you know about 2 fantastic sake brands that are an incredible deal. If happen to come across either of these, they will be worth your while to pick up.  The first one is by Shikisakura, from Gunma Prefecture, and is this year's shiboritate (newly pressed), they actually press the sake through a kind of screen when removing the solid lees from the clear liquid that we all love to drink.  This one has some body to it but not overbearing.  It's easy on the palate with a slight acidity balanced with just the right amount of sweetness.  On its own or with food, this is an outstanding sake and only 1,000yen.  For the quality of this brew, it's a steal!  I was able to get a bottle at Marui Department Store in Shiki, I actually went back to the store and bought another bottle.  It's that good!

The other brew(BELOW PICTURE) that I would like to share with you is from Takashimizu from Akita prefecture.  It's also a hatsushibori, new pressing sake. This is also a wonderful brew at an unbelievable price, around 1.000 yen.  It starts off lightly sweet and then the flavor just dissipates off your tongue quickly without any aftertaste, which makes you want to take another sip and then another.  Before you know it, the bottle is almost empty.  As with the Shikisakura, during the past week, I have picked up 2 bottles of this and the 2nd is almost empty.   This sake also is great alone or with snacks, especially light ones.  Thank you to the brewers at Shikisakura(四季桜） and Takashimizu（高清水） for putting out such a wonderful product!  Kanpai!

Takashimizu Shinshu hatsushibori