This is based on samples provided by the winery or organization acting on their behalf.

Momokawa Diamond

Momokawa Pearl

SakéMoto Junmai

I was invited to participate in an online saké tasting, which was very easy to accept. I have enjoyed saké in the past, but my knowledge on the beverage is VERY limited. I usually rely on the suggestions from the server and never remember which ones I have liked or the ones I could barely tolerate. This will be a great opportunity to try three different examples and allow me to note differences and figure out what I like based on side by side comparisons.

Visit the SakéOne website.

The selections were provided by Charles Communications for the SakéOne brand tasting and participation was limited to around a dozen people.

Generally, saké is best served is a white wine glass. For some reason, several of us opted for a stemless wine glass like the Riedel O line. I chose the glass since it seemed to be a nice middle of the road melding of the small traditional saké glass and a larger, stemmed wine glass.

Though saké can be served slightly warmed, it is better served chilled; I had mine at slightly cooler than room temperature.

It was pointed out that the American saké producers prefer to be called “craft” saké, or American, but don’t call them “domestic”.

An open bottle of saké will last for weeks in the refrigerator since it is pasteurized.

SakéOne is one of six saké breweries in America and the only saké brewery in Oregon. It has promoted quality saké in America for over two decades, both as an importer and as a domestic craft brewer, focusing on quality, heritage and innovation. SakéOne imports a boutique portfolio of Japanese regional saké including the brands Murai Family, Yoshinogawa and SakéMoto, a premium Japanese saké developed specifically for the American market. Greg also produces award-winning saké for the Momokawa, G Saké, and the fruit-infused Moonstone brands at SakéOne’s own Kura in Forest Grove, Oregon.

Saké’s presence in the American market is rapidly increasing; in the past ten years, saké has seen a 100% increase in the US Beverage alcohol market. However, most premium saké is still imported from Japan.

The video from the online tasting, graphics dealing with saké terminology and the brewing process, as well as the participant’s posts can be found here:

http://sakeone.yourbrandlive.com/c/whitedaytasting/

The lineup for this tasting:

Momokawa Diamond – SRP $13

This saké is classified as a Junmai Ginjo. Among other things, this means the rice was “polished” down to 60%.

This is considered to be a “starting point” sake, meaning it not too dry but also not overly “fruity”. The final alcohol is 14.8%.

My Tasting Note

This is totally clear and colorless. On the nose this offers an herbal note, earthy mushrooms, peat moss, apples, cherries and white flowers. On the palate this is slightly creamy with chalky minerality, spice, apples and cherry skin. This has decent length on the finish.

Momokawa Diamond

Momokawa Pearl – SRP $13

This saké is classified as a Junmai Ginjo Nigori Genhu. Among other things, this means the rice was “polished” down to 60%. This sake is undiluted so it retains the base alcohol of 18%. It is also not filtered so it contains rice “sediment”. Before drinking, the bottle must be turned over multiple times to allow for this sediment to be redistributed in the liquid.

This was originally produced even though they were told it would never be popular because “no one drinks nigori.” More than fourteen years later it is their most popular saké and one that they must take to festivals and tastings everywhere they go.

My Tasting Note

This is a cloudy white color, like low fat milk. The nose offers apples, tropical fruit, and earthy peat moss. This is creamy and slightly sweet on the palate. The finish is fairly long. This one was very different in looks and the creaminess.

Momokawa Pearl

SakéMoto Junmai – SRP $11

This saké is classified as a Junmai. Among other things, this means the rice was “polished” down to 70%. This was the one imported sake included in the tasting.

This comes from a brewer that has been producing sake for over 270 years and was produced with the American palate in mind, which makes it a bit richer and fruitier. This has a final alcohol of 14.7%.

My Tasting Note

This is a very light yellow to straw color. The nose has melon, peat moss, earthy, apples, white flowers and tropical fruit. On the palate this is crisp and clean with good acidity and just a touch of sweetness. This has good length with an herbal note coming in. This was my favorite of the tasting.

SakéMoto Junmai

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Notes – I use the “official” Cellar Tracker name for the wines. I use Cellar Tracker to help manage and organize my cellar. I highly recommend checking it out at www.cellartracker.com. Loading you existing cellar is a lot less intimidating than it would first appear. There is a good chance 99% of your wine is already in the system, so you generally only need to enter part of the wine’s name and the system will find it for you.

Prices noted are the prices I paid at the time of purchase. I don’t shop around to find the best prices, but my local store is usually VERY competitive. I generally get case discounts, and since I work there part time, I get a 5% discount. Wines purchased direct from a winery do not include any shipping charges. None of the prices include the sales tax.

All wines that were sent to me free of charge to sample will be noted and I will show suggested prices when available.

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