Some may find this libation from Yamagata Prefecture to be a good antidote for the malaise brought on by the rainy season and the tedium engendered by the practice of social distancing. We do not. Nevertheless, this is an interesting wine. To put it simply, it is different. Trial Batch is a blend of international varietals—50% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, … Continue reading Woody Farm & Winery’s “The Trial Batch”
IWA 5
“You cannot step in the same river twice.” Heraclitus Heraclitus had it right, of course, but he was not writing about winemaking or sake brewing, of which he knew nothing. He was writing about life, the ever-changing nature of our existence. Some winemakers and sake brewers, with the best of intentions, attempt to still the … Continue reading IWA 5
Nakano Beer Kobo
Most bloggers who are in it for the long haul are aware of something called “Search Engine Optimization” (SEO). This involves steps taken to enhance the chances of one’s blog being seen by searchers and, it is hoped, visited by same. It’s better to reference the penguin in the overcoat sipping tea than it is to talk about the one sliding on … Continue reading Nakano Beer Kobo
Miwa Shuzo’s Shirakawago Tansan Junmai Awanigori
In our last entry we reviewed this kura’s Shirakawago Junmai Nigorizake Dekitate Nama and commented that it was “dessert in a glass.” That descriptor might apply here, as well, but none of us was overly impressed with this offering. The abv is 11%, and it has a nihonshu-do of -50, which means it is very … Continue reading Miwa Shuzo’s Shirakawago Tansan Junmai Awanigori
Miwa Shuzo’s Shirakawago Junmai Nigorizake Dekitate Nama
The sake under review today is a nigorizake from Shirakawa-go, Gifu Prefecture, home of the famous gasshō-zukuri, or thatched-roof houses, which is one of the most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan. Shirakawa-go is also famous for its Doburoku Festival. What is the difference between these two types of sake? “The difference between doburoku … Continue reading Miwa Shuzo’s Shirakawago Junmai Nigorizake Dekitate Nama
Children’s Day and Beer Cans
This post is about Children’s Day (Kodomonohi) which takes place on May 5. On Children’s Day, a common sight is carp-shaped windsock called Koinobori. The carp-shaped windsock come in various colors, a big black one representing the father, a red one representing the mother and often a smaller blue one representing the child. In Hotarunosato … Continue reading Children’s Day and Beer Cans
Yamamoto Tensugi – Yamamoto Brewery
As winter wanes and spring waxes, many rejoice, but for some in Japan, the transitional period between death and rebirth brings with it quite a bit of unpleasantness in the form of cedar-pollen allergy. After World War II, an inordinately large number of cedars were planted in Japan. According to an article published in the Weekly International … Continue reading Yamamoto Tensugi – Yamamoto Brewery
Drinking Japan 