Gifts for Wine Lovers

Sake by Takasago from Hokkaido, Japan. A prominent fragrance, a clean and fresh taste, with flavor deep into the recesses. Truly one of the Rolls-Royces of sake. Each year, after the temperature drops below 14 Fahrenheit, Takasago builds an Ice Dome outside the main kura building. It is an igloo inside of which the temperature stays about 28 F, with 90% humidity and no wind The low temperature means nasty bacteria cannot survive, allowing them to make clean, pure, ultra-premium sake. Additionally, they separate the clear sake from the fermenting rice lees not by pressing, but rather by putting it into canvas bags and allowing the sake to drip out slowly overnight.

Sake by Fukucho from Hiroshima, Japan. A rather fragrant junmai ginjo, bottled immediately without charcoal filtering. The fine-lined flavor is as bold as the fragrance, with a soft-edged fullness overall. Water in this region is...

Sake by Mantensei from Tottori, Japan. 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. The Tottori...

Sake by Rihaku from Shimane, Japan. 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...

Sake by Ama no To from Akita, Japan. 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. They have...

Sake by Takasago from Hokkaido, Japan. A prominent fragrance, a clean and fresh taste, with flavor deep into the recesses. Truly one of the Rolls-Royces of sake. Each year, after the temperature drops below 14 Fahrenheit, Takasago builds an Ice Dome outside the main kura building. It is an igloo inside of which the temperature stays about 28 F, with 90% humidity and no wind The low temperature means nasty bacteria cannot survive, allowing them to make clean, pure, ultra-premium sake. Additionally, they separate the clear sake from the fermenting rice lees not by pressing, but rather by putting it into canvas bags and allowing the sake to drip out slowly overnight.

Sake by Tozai from Osaka, Japan. Crafted with pure, natural spring water from this family brewery nestled at the base of Osaka's scenic Ikoma mountains. Aromas of peach and powdered sugar. On the palate, the flavors head...

Sake by Kanbara from Niigata, Japan. Intense aromas of grilled nuts, pistachio and a hint of warm liquid cocoa. In the mouth, the flavors follow through 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 enough power to make it a great match with a wide variety of food pairings. A truly distinctive sake. The name of this wonderful sake was inspired by local legends about mysterious lights that appeared on nearby Mt. Kirin in the distant past. Locals claim the lights are paper lanterns carried in the fox-bride procession. This mysterious event is celebrated in Niigata every year in the fox-bride festival. Kaetsu uses rice grown on the high plains and pure mountain water to brew superior sake, both rich in aroma and clean in taste. Complex, with herbal aromas of chicory, clove and chive, a creamy texture and savory flavors of dried fig and pepper. Builds to a spicy finish. Wine Spectator April 30, 2007

Sake by Mukune from Osaka, Japan. Mellow and dry profile in which the flavor and the finish meld together, with plenty of the richness of the rice evident. Yasutaka Daimon is the sixth-generation director of the family brewery....

Sake by Mantensei from Tottori, Japan. 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. The Tottori...

Sake by Tozai from Kyoto, Japan. This is 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...

Sake by Rihaku from Shimane, Japan. Aromas of rice and ripe red plums. Bright, mouthwatering acidity leads into a soft and chewy texture from the unfiltered rice particles. The ricey flavor is joined by gently nutty and slightly...