28 year-old Daiginjo sake to showcase at Hong Kong sake fair

The 23rd Annual Sake Fair returns to Hong Kong gourmet supermarket City’super this March. This time, the art of traditional aged sake and artisanal hybrid kimoto brewing technology will be the focus.

City’super will present the 23rd edition of its annual sake fair, following a tour of Japan’s most iconic breweries, with a host of promotional offers and prizes at its four outlets from 10-23 March 2022.

The fair will present more than 300 sake and liqueur brands including some new to the Hong Kong market, appealing widely to both beginners and connoisseurs with prices ranging from affordable to premium and exclusive.

The most premium sake at the fair is a rarity limited to just 300 bottles worldwide. The 28 year-aged Tenju Precious Pearl Aged Daiginjo (HK$5,200) is made with volcanic spring water and slow, low-temperature fermentation. This fragrant and delicate sake is said to have been aged for 28 years as a commemorative edition celebrating the 190th anniversary of Tenju Shuzo’s brewery in Akita.

Following the ancient Shaoxing tradition of ‘Nuer Hong’, or ‘maiden rose wine’, this vintage was preserved at the birth of the owner’s daughter in 1993 and matured until her wedding day.

The brewery also presents Tenju Chokaisan Shunsho Ikkoku Junmai Ginjo 720ml (HK$205), which embraces the soft nutty flavour of steamed rice in Junmai sake.

Also newly launched in Hong Kong is Hiroshima brewery’s Fujii Shuzo’s mellow “Ryusei” sake Ryusei Hattan 50 Kimoto Junmai Daiginjo 720ml (HK$260). Uniquely made by the most traditional and orthodox ‘Kimoto’ brewing method, originating from around the year of 1700, the sake has a light fruity aroma and dry style perfectly matching sweet and sour cuisine.

Among other showcased breweries new to the Hong Kong market, Imada Shuzo’s legendary brewery in Akitsu, Hiroshima will present its Fukucho Hattanso Hybrid Kimoto Junmai Ginjo 720ml (HK$230), unique for using artisanal hybrid Kimoto technology, expressing the complex, deep flavour and aroma of traditional ‘Hattanso’ sake rice.

Another new arrival in Hong Kong is Dassai’s renowned Yamaguchi brewery, dating back to 1948. It will unveil its signature junmai daiginjo-grade Dassai Kanzukuri Hayabune 39 Junmai Daiginjo Nama 720ml (HK$380), with the fresh umami of sake rice and a refreshing finish – only available in limited quantity.

The show will also present a sumptuous range of quality sake, both still and sparkling, and fruity-flavoured liqueurs that are popular amongst local drinkers.