The Rice: 100% Tamasakae Rice

Translation of the Name: 春鶯囀 Shunnouten = Spring Warbler’s Song.
高座   Takazasu = The name of a nearby mountain

Prefecture: Yamanashi
Rice: Tamasakae
Semaibuai: 60%
Grade: Junmai
SMV: +5
Acidity: 1.6
ABV: 15%

The Sake:
Dry, but with a round mouthfeel to it.  This sake is the most fresh, fruity, and vibrant tasting of the Shunnouten lineup.  Takazasu refers to the mountain that is seen from the winery- the southernmost edge of the “Japanese Alps.”  The mountain is named after a Spring Warbler Hawk’s Nest. You can see that we’re keeping with the bird imagery, here.

The Format:
Bottle- 720ml

The Brewery:
Yorozuya Brewery has a long, beautiful and romantic history.  Founded 230 years ago, the name of their brand, “Shunnouten” comes from a particular event in their past.  A female poet named Akiko Yosano stopped at the brewery, and upon drinking the sake brewed there, she was inspired to compose a poem, and compared the feeling of drinking at the Yorozuya brewery to hearing spring warblers in the temples.  It relates to an even earlier song from the Tang dynasty, but that’s another story.  Spring warbler, in Japanese, is Shunnouten.  What a compliment!  The poem is engraved in stone at the brewery- please visit it sometime yourself.

◉ Yorozuya Brewery Website
◉ Other Shunnouten Sake at E-Corp