GO GRANDCLASS Uonuma Koshihikari Edition Wins Platinum Award at Milano Sake Challenge 2025
This sake is brewed not with shuzo-kotekimai (brewing-specific rice) traditionally used for sake production, but with the globally renowned table rice 'Uonuma Koshihikari.' Winning the highest award after rigorous evaluation by sommeliers overseas, despite being made from table rice, is an exceptionally rare achievement.
Evaluation at the Milano Sake Challenge
GO GRANDCLASS Uonuma Koshihikari Edition was praised for its 'complex harmony of white fruits, melon, lychee, and peach aromas, with floral notes and the sweetness of rice spreading in the mouth.' Its well-balanced medium sweetness, umami, and long finish stood out, with keywords such as 'balanced and complex,' 'elegance, purity, persistence, and category expression' highlighted by the judges. The sake was also highly regarded for its compatibility with Italian ingredients such as Parmigiano Reggiano and prosciutto, showcasing the potential for a unique fusion of Japanese and Western terroirs.
Objective Evaluation by AI Analysis
The sake was also analyzed using the AI-based sensory evaluation system 'ProfilePrint' introduced by Nomura Jimusho Co., Ltd., which identified its distinctive 'high freshness and restrained bitterness.' The Platinum Award result aligns closely with this objective AI evaluation.
A New Terroir Born from Table Rice
Tsunan Sake Brewery has focused on the terroir of Tsunan Town—a heavy-snow region adjacent to Minamiuonuma—and the potential of the local resource, Uonuma Koshihikari rice, in developing the GO GRANDCLASS series. The umami, aroma, and excellent food compatibility unique to table rice have been increasingly recognized both domestically and internationally as an expression of regional terroir in sake.
Future Outlook
Following this award, Tsunan Sake Brewery plans to further expand the global reach of GO GRANDCLASS Uonuma Koshihikari Edition. The product was already highly acclaimed in Singapore, selling out at the country's largest sake event, 'Sake Matsuri Singapore 2024.' Moving forward, the brewery will make proposals tailored to local food cultures in each country.
Product Information
Name: GO GRANDCLASS Uonuma Koshihikari Edition
Rice Variety: 100% Uonuma Koshihikari
Alcohol Content: 16%
Polishing Ratio: 50%
Volume: 720ml / Gift Box Included
Brewery: Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Tsunan Town, Nakauonuma District, Niigata Prefecture)
About the Milano Sake Challenge
The Milano Sake Challenge is an international sake competition held annually in Milan, Italy, since 2019. With the mission of 'supporting sake breweries that take on the world,' it aims to convey the diversity and cultural background of sake while promoting the possibilities of pairing with Italian cuisine. Judging evaluates sake from multiple perspectives, including aroma, flavor, appearance, and food pairing compatibility. The 2025 event—the 5th edition—was held on June 23–24 at the NHOW Hotel in Milan, with over 200 expert judges participating.
About Tsunan Sake Brewery
Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. is a sake brewery based in Tsunan Town, Nakauonuma District, Niigata Prefecture—one of Japan's most renowned heavy snowfall areas. The brewery produces sake using locally grown rice varieties such as 'Gohyakumangoku' and 'Uonuma Koshihikari,' characterized by a brewing style that blends harmony with nature and innovation. In 2025, the brewery won the Niigata Governor's Award (1st place) at the Echigo-style Sake Brewing Technology Championship, a competition evaluating brewing skills.
Website: https://tsunan-sake.com/
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