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Japan Times
9 hours ago
- Business
- Japan Times
GO GRANDCLASS Uonuma Koshihikari Edition Wins Platinum Award at Milano Sake Challenge 2025
Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tsunan Town, Nakauonuma District, Niigata Prefecture; President: Kengo Suzuki, hereinafter 'Tsunan Sake Brewery') is pleased to announce that its Junmai Daiginjo sake GO GRANDCLASS Uonuma Koshihikari Edition has been awarded the prestigious Platinum (Platino) Award at the Milano Sake Challenge 2025, held in Milan, Italy. 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:
Japan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Japan Times
Tsunan Sake Brewery Participates as a Drink Partner at 'Sustainable Food Night #28'
Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tsunan-machi, Nakauonuma-gun, Niigata Prefecture; CEO: Kengo Suzuki, hereinafter 'our company'), a sake brewery based in Tsunan, Niigata, participated as a drink partner at Sustainable Food Night #28, held on Monday, July 28, 2025, at the Sustainable Food Museum in Nishi-Shimbashi, Tokyo. This event's theme was 'The Aroma of Cacao Crafted through Fermentation – The Development of Chocolate in Southeast Asia and Japan.' The guest speaker, Mr. Akira Fukumura, CEO of WHOSE CACAO, shared insights in a talk session about fermentation and product development for specialty cacao, covering local fermentation techniques in Southeast Asia and their applications in the Japanese market. As the drink partner, we presented our 'GO GRANDCLASS Uonuma Koshihikari Edition,' representing our role as a bearer of Japan's sake fermentation culture. This sake, embodying the terroir of the snowy Tsunan region, was introduced to participants, highlighting its naturally fermented and aged flavor profile without the use of artificial flavors or additives. The similarities in fermentation processes between sake and cacao sparked significant interest among attendees. The event also featured aroma comparisons of cacao beans from different origins, fermented cacao cola by WHOSE CACAO, and tastings of various chocolates, allowing visitors to experience the diverse aromas and flavors created through fermentation. Tsunan Sake Brewery will continue to contribute to the development of a sustainable food culture centered on fermentation and to explore the untapped potential of Japanese sake. Event Overview Event Name: Sustainable Food Night #28 Date & Time: Monday, July 28, 2025 – Doors open 18:45 / Event 19:00–21:45 Venue: Sustainable Food Museum (1F, 1-17-8 Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo) Organizer: Sustainable Food Asia Co., Ltd. Guest Speaker: Mr. Akira Fukumura, CEO, WHOSE CACAO Moderators: Mr. Shuhei Tsukada, Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. / Mr. Satoshi Umino, Sustainable Food Asia Co., Ltd. Reference: Aroma Component Analysis of Tsunan Sake Brewery For the GO series, we measure key fermentation-derived aroma compounds, including ethyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, and ethyl caproate. About Tsunan Sake Brewery Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. is a sake brewery located in Tsunan, Niigata Prefecture, one of Japan's snowiest regions. We specialize in brewing with locally grown sake rice varieties such as 'Gohyakumangoku' and 'Uonuma Koshihikari,' combining harmony with nature and innovation. In 2025, we were awarded the Governor of Niigata Prize (1st place) at the Echigo-style Sake Brewing Technical Championship, a competition evaluating sake brewing excellence. Website:
