A taste from the past. Dewatsuru Sakura Emaki Junmai

This pale, cherry blossom shade sake has a very unique historical lineage. During an archaeological dig on a UNESCO site in Akita, Japan, 1000 year old purple rice grains dating back to Heian period (794-1185) were discovered. In 1996, Akita Seishu Brewery was solicited by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries along with the Association for the Revitalization of Ancient Rice to produce sake utilizing this heirloom rice.

When the sake was created, it was named Sakura Emaki. Sakura for its pale blossom shade, and Emaki, which refers to the scrolls where the first novel, The Tale of Genji, was written by Lady Murasaki in 1010 (approx.). The correlation between the the purple rice, Murasaki-mai, and Lady Murasaki, conjures up a beautiful image in one’s mind of the first authoress writing her novel while sipping this sake by the candlelight.

The aroma reflects a hint of cherry blossoms and tart apples. On palate, the sake is round, and silky. Subtle sweetness hides in the background, much like how Prince Genji entices his paramour with love poems professed from behind a screen. There is a presence of mild acidity to balance out the sweetness, making this sake most enjoyable paired with light fare foods and seafoods. This sake should be enjoyed chilled.

Rice Polished: 60%
Alc: 11-11.9%
SMV: -24
Rice: Okunomurasaki & Asamurasaki (murasaki-mai)
Serving Temperature: Chilled