
FRESH SAKE FROM JAPAN A Few of the Best & Brightest! Sake is an alcoholic rice wine that is native to Japan. It is believed that sake production dates back to the 3rd century, around the same time rice planting methods in Japan became common practice. There are many different varieties of sake, which are classified based on whether or not alcohol has to be added after the initial rice fermentation, and exactly how much rice is milled prior to sake brewing. Sake can be served either warmed or chilled. Traditionally, sake was served warm because the heat helped bring out a sweeter flavor. This is due the brewing practices at the time that involved fermenting sake mash in cedar vats. The wooden containers produced a cruder, less refined taste than modern brewing techniques, and the heat helped mask this less refined flavor. Many modern-day brands of sake have a more elegant, fruitful flavor to them, and these should be chilled to bring out these lighter tastes. Sake has a high reputation among dining enthusiasts. Because its main ingredients are simply rice and water, it is much easier on the stomach than most alcohols. Its mild flavor also goes well with traditional Asian dishes such as tempura and sushi, and it is often used in place of white wine when served with Western dishes. It is an excellent alternative to heavier-tasting alcoholic beverages. 'LIKE' US ON FACEBOOK TO SEE DEALS LIKE THIS EVERYDAY!
	NV Konteki Pearls of Simplicity Junmai Daiginjo Kyoto Prefecture "Clear. Aromas of banana custard and praline follow through on a supple, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with excellent smoothness and integration of flavors. Finishes with nice interplay of spice, dried apples and bananas, toffee, and earth notes. A rich, flavorful daiginjo that will shine at the table with spicy sushi." (BTI) Beverage Testing Institute: 93 pts. A bouquet of bright floral aromas is the perfect beginning for this crisp Junmai Daiginjo. Clean flavors of honeydew and lemon dominate but a subtle hint of licorice sneaks up once you get to the long and elegant finish. This is a great sipping sake but also a wonderful companion to a scallops, pork and other light meats. (Tasting Notes) 720ml...only $33.95
	NV Takatenjin Soul of the Sensei Junmai Daiginjo Shizuoka Prefecture "Buttery nut brittle, banana custard, leaf, and cake follow through on silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with great smoothness and finesse. Concludes with white plum, coconut cream, mango and delicate spice notes on the long, gently warming finish. A delicious and vibrant sake for the table." (BTI) Beverage Testing Institute: 94 pts. Aromas of clean honeydew rind, grainy rice with a touch of earth. The impact on the palate is soft and rich but not cloying. A gentle sweetness envelops the tongue while the clean, high-strung acidity does the work. It has loads of body but is able to maintain tightness and structure. While spicy honeydew and dry anise dominate up front, the finish is dry with good spicy white pepper and jasmine notes. (Tasting Notes) 720ml...only $36.95
	NV Tozai Sake Snow Maiden Junmai Nigori Kyoto Prefecture "Heavy milky-white. Nutty, creamy nose. Rich, chewy and lush, with soft saline and banana flavors and an attractive hint of fruity sweetness. Not complex, but this mellow, easy-to-drink saké is not short of acidity." (IWC) International Wine Cellar: 88 pts. This is a fairly thick and chewy "nigorizake" (cloudy sake), but it is still surprisingly dry. The aromas are bright and fresh and they show a lovely ricey and fruity combination. In the mouth, this sake has solid weight and gives the same flavors of fresh fruit and creamy fresh rice that your nose told you about. The finish has a pleasant astringency and is nicely mellow, beckoning you for another mouthful. You will rarely taste a classier nigori at this price. This maybe the ultimate food-friendly nigori. (Tasting Notes) 720ml...only $12.95
	NV Tozai Sake Living Jewel Junmai Nigori Kyoto Prefecture "Pale, bright straw color. Vaguely grapey aroma with hints of herbs and anise. Rather low-toned flavors of squash, banana and sweet butter. On the soft wide, but fairly subtle and easy to drink. A midweight example that’s cleanly made but a bit warm." (IWC) International Wine Cellar: 85 pts. The aromas are quite complex, showing white grape, anise, and a hint of sweet rice. These same flavors come rushing through the medium-bodied palate, which has a slightly creamy texture followed by a hint of white pepper and fresh herbal notes. The long, clean finish makes this both a great sipping sake as well as a companion to a wide range of foods, from fish and shellfish, to pork and light meats. (Tasting Notes) 720ml...only $12.95
	NV Rihaku Sake Wandering Poet Junmai Ginjo Shimane Prefecture "Assertive aromas of squash, banana and cantaloupe, with an intriguing saline quality that carries onto the palate. Flavorful and distinctly wine-like, with plenty of flavor and a clean finish. Not the subtlest saké in the Vine Connections portfolio but this is reportedly their #1 seller." (IWC) International Wine Cellar: 88 pts. Brewed carefully and slowly at low temperatures using traditional brewing techniques and Yamada Nishiki rice polished to 55%. Characterized by a well-rounded flavor with a solidness to the flavor and fragrance, and a clean finish. (Tasting Notes) 720ml...only $28.95
	NV Rihaku Sake Dreamy Clouds Junmai Nigori Shimane Prefecture "Hazy pale lemonade color. Aromas of squash and nuts. Big, rich, broad and dry; in a mellow, low-toned style, with a distinct rice flavor. A bit neutral but sound acidity gives this smooth wine a fruity quality." (IWC) International Wine Cellar: 87 pts. Rihaku is proud to boast the highest average rice milling rate of all Japanese breweries. This sake is a good example why—while it is already unusual to produce high-quality nigori at the Tokubetsu Junmai grade, Rihaku's goes one better by making a Dreamy Clouds that goes beyond the minimum, and could technically qualify as a Junmai Ginjo grade nigori. They also continue to use the same traditional methods to brew their sake as they did in the late 1800's. The only difference is now they employ the help of selective technology when, and only when, it's determined that the extra help would result in a better sake. For example, their koji-making machine allows tighter control of temperature and moisture during the koji-making process while metal “fingers” mix the koji every few hours, resulting in not only cleaner but also more uniform and consistent koji. (Tasting Notes) 720ml...only $27.95
	NV Nanbu Bijin Sake Ancient Pillars Junmai Daiginjo Iwate Prefecture "Very pale color. Complex, subtly saline aromas of lemon, lime zest, white rose and mint; also in a high-pitched, rather northern" style. Very suave on entry, then rich and fine-grained, with terrific aromatic lift in the middle palate. Broader than the Divine Droplets: this really spreads out and melts into the tongue. Finishes very long, with noteworthy finesse. The alcohol here is actually a rather high 17.9%. This brewery is built around the well that supplies its water." (IWC) International Wine Cellar: 94 pts. This zesty sake is bold and versatile with concentrated floral, citrus, and chocolaty notes. It is very balanced with crisp and clean acidity. Sandalwood and marshmallow flavors add to its overall finesse. (Tasting Notes) 720ml...only $59.95
	NV Mantensei Sake Star-Filled Sky Junmai Ginjo Tottori Prefecture "Very pale yellow. Assertive aromas of citrus fruits and smoke, with a subtle saline element. Fairly rich and voluminous but with an airy texture. A very suave, mouthfilling example with a lightly sweet impression and very good breadth." (IWC) International Wine Cellar: 90 pts. Soft, honey-laced nose with just a tad of fruitiness. Dry overall, but with a sweet element creeping out of the background. Good richness and overall balance in a slightly dry profile. (Tasting Notes) 720ml...only $27.95
	NV Fukucho Moon on the Water Junmai Ginjo Hiroshima Prefecture "($40): Very pale, green-tinged color. Fruity, vibrant aromas of lime, fennel and minerals, with a hint of white pepper; this one is also rather Chablis-like. Rich and soft in the mouth, conveying lovely fullness without weight. Just a bit aggressive and warm on the finish. This needs to be served with food. The water in the Hiroshima prefecture is known for being very soft. Made by one of the very small number of female brewers in Japan." (IWC) International Wine Cellar: 88 pts. The fruity nose of lime and melon is pressed to the forefront with bold hints of fennel, white pepper and allspice. The flavors gravitate to ripe cantaloupe and black licorice while the minerality from the soft water is evident in the finish. The slightly sweet and clean mid-palate finishes dry. (Tasting Notes) 720ml...only $33.95
	NV Kanabara Sake Bride of the Fox Junmai Ginjo Niigata Prefecture "Very pale color, deeper than the Wandering Poet but less brilliant. High-pitched, nuanced nose combines melon, lime, mint, nuts and dusty fresh herbs. Juicy and intense, with assertive flavors of citrus fruit, melon, herbs, spices and nuts. Not a heavy style but boasts impressive palate presence and plenty of character. The long finish hints at melon and nuts." (IWC) International Wine Cellar: 91 pts. Intense aromas of grilled nuts, pistachio and a hint of warm liquid cocoa. In the mouth, the flavors follow thourgh with nuts and melon as it heads for a crisp finish, and then just a hint of lingering sweetness. It is at once savory and sweet, and has enogh power to make it a great match with a wide variety of food pairings. A truly distinctive sake. (Tasting Notes) 720ml...only $27.95
	NV Ama No To Sake Heaven's Door Tokubetsu Junmai Akita Prefecture "Very pale yellow-straw color. Spicy, assertive aromas of green apple, flowers, mint and fresh herbs. Juicy, lively and light on its feet, with subtle fruitiness in a rather ethereal style. Complex and refined. From all locally grown rice." (IWC) International Wine Cellar: 91 pts. Faint aromas of raisins and earthiness. Overall slightly dry flavor but with nice fruity essences in the recesses, supplanted by nice rice-like tones and a gentle sweetness beneath. (Tasting Notes) 720ml...only $27.95
	NV Ginga Shizuku Sake Devine Droplets Junmai Daiginjo Hokkaido Prefecture "Very pale yellow. Complex nose offers saline, herbal and spicy notes, with a minty coolness. Wonderfully subtle, complex and precise, with a distinctly ethereal quality, high-pitched minerality and superb lift. Finishes very dry and persistent, with lovely lift. This is made inside an igloo in Hokkaido, in Japan’s extreme north, where below-freezing temperature prevents unwanted bacteria from surviving, thus ensuring a very pure saké. The clear saké is separated from the fermenting rice lees by putting it into canvas bags and allowing the saké to drip out overnight (as opposed to pressing it)" (IWC) International Wine Cellar: 94 pts. A prominent fragrance, a clean and fresh taste, with flavor deep into the recesses. Truly one of the "Rolls-Royces" of Sake. (Tasting Notes) 720ml...only $59.95
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(Shipments that involve special needs (remember an adult signature is required) or weather holds for future shipping can and will be accommodated at no charge. Please provide detailed instructions at the time you place your order.)

Orders via email, telephone, or fax will not be accepted. Please place orders directly through the website at www.lawineco.com

(Shipments that involve special needs (remember an adult signature is required)
or weather holds for future shipping can and will be accommodated at no charge.
Please provide detailed instructions at the time you place your order.)

Orders via email, telephone, or fax will not be accepted.
Please place orders directly through the website at www.lawineco.com