About Japanese Wine

About Japanese Wine
Wine in Japan is all about sake; while some write about it being brewed in the manner of a beer, we are defining it as a wine. It is a beverage of ancient traditions that continues to be enjoyed by the elite in Japan as well as the common man - as well as consumers in many countries.

Produced from rice, a typical sake has a pale straw or silver color with aromas ranging from nougat and coconut to melon, dried pineapple and honeyed nuts. Medium-full (alcohol is around 18%), these are best enjoyed with Asian or fusion cuisine.

Sake is generally served at room temperature or slightly chilled. A sake that is heated and then served is probably not of the highest quality.

Top Picks for Japan

Sho Chiku Bai  Premium Ginjo Sake
90 points
$8
Best Buy
An excellent example of Junmai Ginjo; complex and easy to pair.
90 points $8 Best Buy
Shichiken  Onakaya Tobin Kakoi Junmai Daiginjo Sake
90 points
$400
A crisp, complex Junmai Daiginjo with enticing fruity aromas.
Soto  Junmai Daiginjo Sake
89 points
$39
A round a fruity Daiginjo with a balancing yeasty note.
SakéMoto  Junmai Sake
88 points
$12
Best Buy
Enjoy dreamy aromatics with distinctive notes of baking spices.
88 points $12 Best Buy
Sho Chiku Bai  Sho Ginjo Nigori Sake
88 points
$18
A velvety Nigori with sweet grain notes; a good accompaniment to spicy fare.
Sho Chiku Bai  Mio Sparkling Sake
88 points
$22
A pleasing, sweet and apple-y sparkling sake that will be lovely with the dessert course; hard seltzer drinkers need apply!
Kobe  Ginjo Style Sake
87 points
$26
A dainty and easy drinking ginjo sake with an carefree appeal.
Sho Chiku Bai  Organic Nama Sake
87 points
$9
Best Buy
A juicy, easy-drinking Sake that offers a good introduction to the category.
87 points $9 Best Buy
Soto  Premium Junmai Sake
86 points
$19
An easy Sake quaffer for Sushi bar pairings; serve hot or cold.