Greetings, Nomidachi!

Finally putting together two of our favorite things that go great together, we are thrilled to be hosting a Sake & Oyster Brunch on Sunday, May 5 (Noon- 2 pm) with Chefs Breckin and Jim of @traveler_popup.

Included with admission to this reservation only event are 3 types of NW oysters served on the half shell (2 each) and a flight of 3 premium Japanese sake (2 oz. each). Additional sake will also be available for purchase by the glass and by the bottle to take home.

Cost: $40 (plus tax)/person

Reservations: Only a handful of spots remain open.  Please contact us by phone @ 206-467-7253 or by email at info@sakenomi.us.

Brewer Visit:  Thursday, May 9 @ Noon- 2 pm
Featuring 6 Breweries from the Joto Sake Portfolio
                               
As the current brewing season comes to an end in Japan, many brewers renew their promotional and educational efforts by traveling to the ever expanding sake export markets.

On Thursday, May 9, from Noon to 2 pm, we are happy to be hosting representatives from Joto Sake and some of their outstanding Japanese brewing partners for a special "lunchtime" tasting event at Saké Nomi.

Featured breweries/labels include:
Eiko Fuji (Banryu, Eiko Fuji)
Izumo Fuji
Kameizumi
Chikurin (Hou Hou Shu)
Seikyo
Shichi Hon Yari (Seven Spearsmen)

If you'd like to join us for this delicious daytime diversion, please try to sneak out for lunch -- light snacks will be provided with the sample tastings, including some okazu pan bites from our friend Chef Harold from Umami Kushi.

Thank you for reading.  We hope to see you at Saké Nomi again soon.

Dear Nomidachi,

Saké Nomi's best-selling seasonal release sake, Arabashiri means "first/rough run," and is the first bit of free-run sake that comes out of the old fashioned fune press (the one that looks like a big tub, and into which the fermented mash is placed in finely perforated cloth bags).  Since no pressure is applied to the sake, it can be extremely vibrant and somewhat brash, and it is just about as fresh as it gets.  "Spring in a glass," as we like to say.

Masumi Arabashiri is super fruity (melons & pears), and has a pleasantly crisp acidity.  In addition to being a junmai ginjo namazake, it's also a genshu (undiluted sake), so at 17-18% alcohol, it packs a lovingly assertive punch.

Price: $50/720 ml bottle (10% "case" discount for orders of 6 or more bottles)
Availability: In-store now, and also available for purchase by order

Arriving Next Week:
Kagatobi Muroka Nama Junmai
Dewazakura Sarasara Junmai Ginjo Nama Nigori
 

Kagatobi Muroka Nama Junmai (Ishikawa)                                        
Very limited seasonal release! Shiny gold in the glass, and the nose has notes of candied fruit and a hint of earthiness.  It tastes intriguingly dry AND rich, even a bit spicy.  It packs a genshu-esque (undiluted) punch at 18% ABV, but with a very soft, gentle mouthfeel.  

Price:  $45/720 ml bottle (10% "case" discount for orders of 6 or more bottles)

Order by: Noon, Sunday, April 14

In-store: Tuesday, April 16

Dewazakura Sarasara Junmai Ginjo Nama Nigori (Yamagata)
This is a new-to-WA nama nigori that we have never actually carried before.  However, we did have an event at Saké Nomi last year with one of the marketing guys from Dewazakura, and we featured this delightful, delicious brew at that tasting — it was a big hit!  

There’s a little information about it on the importer’s website here.

Price: $45/720 ml bottle  (10% "case" discount for orders of 6 or more bottles)

Order by: Noon, Sunday, April 14

In-store: Tuesday, April 16

What a fortunate time to be a sake fan!  There are more high-quality sake available to us than ever before, and we continue in our mission to seek out and share as many as possible with you.

Thank you very much for reading.   If you have any questions about the sake mentioned above, or any of the other premium sake selections we carry, please contact us.

Hello, Nomidachi!

Seikyo “Omachi” Namazake Tokubetsu Junmai (Hiroshima)             
Soft & citrusy, with a luxurious, almost viscous mouthfeel.  Notes of grapefruit and lemon throughout, creating a wonderful, beguiling contrast between the sharpness of the acidic citrus elements and the silky texture.  Traces of minerality and astringency on the edges make it an ideal pairing for oysters on the half-shell. 

Brewed with Omachi rice, the oldest recognized sakamai (“saké rice”), discovered at the tail end of the Edo era (1603-1868).  Omachi is often referred to as maboroshi,meaning “phantasmic” or “mystical,” having to do with the difficulties involved in cultivating it and the superlative saké it can produce.

Price:  $55/720 ml bottle (10% discount on orders of 6 or more bottles)

Availability: In-store now, and also available for purchase by order

Shichi Hon Yari “Seven Spearsmen” Namazake Junmai (Shiga)                                
The nose is slightly smokey and yeasty, with notes of browned bread pastry, tangerine, and even a little mozzarella.  Light and soft, it features melon and mellow fruitiness on the palate, with some smoke and earthiness mid-palate, and traces of astringency and tartness on the edges and in the finish. 
Price:  $45/720 ml bottle
Availability:  In-store now, and also available for purchase by order


Arriving Next Week:
Denshin Haru "Spring" Junmai Ginjo
Shichida Junmai Ginjo
 

Denshin Haru “Spring” Junmai Ginjo (Fukui)                                   This nama genshu (undiluted) has a brilliant golden hue with a gorgeous floral and candied bouquet.  Richly flavored, with intense ripe peach fruitiness on the palate. Viscous, almost syrupy texture is nicely contrasted with perfect acidity.  Very limited production and distribution -- this is one of our favorite new brews from the past couple years.

Price:  $45/720 ml bottle (10% discount on orders of 6 or more bottles)

Availability: Please order ASAP/by 6 pm Wednesday, April 10 for Friday April 12 in-store availability


 

Shichida Junmai Ginjo Muroka Nama Genshu (Saga)                                             Pronounced amber tint and fragrances of white peaches and melon in the nose.  Lively, acidic, and incredibly fresh – nearly effervescent.  The texture is soft, but the flavor is sharp.  In short, “The collected tears of joyously weeping angels.” 

Price: $80/720 ml bottle (10% discount on orders of 6 or more bottles)

Availability: Please order ASAP/by 6 pm Wednesday, April 10 for Friday April 12 in-store availability

Lastly, if you're in need of a reminder why sake is so amazing and why we enjoy it so darn much, here's some knowledge we found in Saké: Health and Longevity by Yukio Takizawa, MD.

According to Dr. Takizawa, there's a phrase from a Kyogen play from the Muromachi period (1338-1573) that lists the 10 Virtues of Saké as:

1) Sake can be better for your health than any medicine.
2) Sake will enable you to live longer.
3) Sake will recover you from fatigue and weariness.
4) Sake will drive gloom away and cheer you up.
5) You can make friends with anyone over a drink of sake.
6) Sake will create the atmosphere where everyone can express their opinions frankly (even to their superiors or seniors).
7) Sake is a good friend to those who live alone.
8) Sake will make you feel warm to endure cold weather.
9) Sake can serve as a versatile but nourishing meal during a trip.
10) Sake will be a great gift when you visit friends.

Again, Takizawa-sensei is a medical doctor, people!

Thank you for reading.   If you have any questions about any of the sake mentioned here, or any of the other premium sake selections we carry, please contact us.