— A Challenge in Returning to Roots, from the Land of Water and Rice: Niigata — “Ryouko” is a new brand launched by Mineno Hakubai Sake Brewery, and its first release is a pure rice sake brewed using Koshihikari, a local table rice variety from Niigata. By intentionally choosing to use table rice instead of traditional sake rice, this sake seeks to capture the true essence of local terroir—with both rice and water sourced from the land surrounding the brewery. A sake born from the very soil and water of Niigata. ＜ Product Highlights＞ 🌾 Koshihikari × 90% Rice Polishing — A Bold Experiment Grown in the Fukui area at the foot of Mt. Kakuda in Nishikan Ward, this locally cultivated Koshihikari rice is polished to just 90%, preserving its natural character and flavor. The result: a sake with a rich yet gentle sweetness, full of personality, expressing the unique nature of eating rice in liquid form. 🌊 A Terroir-Driven Sake, Where Rice and Water Are One The brewing water is taken from the same subterranean stream (Mt. Kakuda spring water) that nurtured the rice. With both elements sharing the same origin, this sake is a true embodiment of its land—a drinkable expression of Niigata’s terroir. 🍶 Full-Bodied Rice Flavor with a Clean Finish While the low-polish method delivers a deep umami and soft sweetness, it still maintains the clarity and purity that defines the Ryouko series. A well-balanced sake that is both gentle and memorable—with elegant depth and a crisp aftertaste. 🌱 Limited Release × Available Only at Select Retailers As the first release in the “Back to Roots” series, this sake is available only in limited quantities and exclusively through selected partners. Highly collectible and seasonally rare, it makes for a special gift or a unique addition to your personal collection. 🥂 Serving Suggestions • Ideal Temperature: Slightly chilled (10–15°C) or room temperature → Chilling enhances its lightness and clarity, while room temperature reveals deeper umami. • Recommended Vessels: White porcelain or thin-rimmed glassware that captures its subtle aromas. 🍽 Suggested Food Pairings • Grilled Pacific saury / Chicken thigh with kelp salt • Hot tofu pot / Simmered daikon • Salted seafood pasta / Creamy miso-based vegetable dishes. 🌸 Final Notes — A Sake That Tells the Story of a Place From the soil, the water, the rice, the brewery, to the people who craft it—this sake encapsulates Niigata in every drop. Born from the desire to return to origin, Ryouko Junmai Koshihikari carries a gentle yet full-bodied expression of rice sweetness and aroma. A sip is like tasting the memory of a mountain and its flowing waters—an echo of the land in liquid form.
