CHOOSING YOUR SAKE WARE
MATCHING SAKE GRADES
WITH SAKE WARE
Next, it is good to choose suitable sake ware according to
the different sake grades and each style. To begin with, there
is Futsu-shu (non-premium sake). This is bulk-produced
sake which does not have any minimum polishing ratio.
This is most basic sake category, which counts for up to
70% of total sake production. This is easy drinking sake
typically focusing on quantity than quality - as such, you
can use any sake ware of your choice from ordinary glass cup
to large guinomi. Above Futsu-shu, there are premium sake
categories. Sake can be pure rice sake or fortified sake – the
latter with a little amount of brewer’s alcohol added to make
the sake more fragrant.
JUNMAI (PURE RICE SAKE) /
NON-JUNMAI (FORTIFIED SAKE)
Junmai category tends to have higher acidity and much
bolder in style, juicier fruitier nose with a hint of rice coming
through, whereas non-Junmai category tend to have lower
acidity and much leaner in style, nose will be more perfumed
with much cleaner less ricey character. Within each category,
sake is further divided by rice polishing ratio.
JUNMAI
Junmai – no minimum-polishing ratio
Junmai Ginjo – minimum 60% polishing ratio
Junmai Daiginjo – minimum 50% polishing ratio
NON- JUNMAI
Honjozo – 70% polishing ratio
Ginjo – minimum 60% polishing ratio
Daiginjo – minimum 50% polishing ratio
In general, more the rice is polished, the more refined the
sake – in the way that more fragrant sake gets on the nose
and is purer on the palate. ( Junmai) Ginjo and higher
grades tend to use special yeasts to make the sake even more
fragrant and fruity.
30%
POLISHED
AWAY
50%
POLISHED
AWAY
70%
POLISHED
AWAY
70%
50%
30%
JUNMAI TYPE
BOLDER,
HIGHER ACIDITY
MUSEUM OF SAKE JOURNAL 14
GINJO TYPE
CLEANER,
LOWER ACIDITY