PURE WATER
This sake comes to you via the mountainous Akita prefecture of Japan. It also claims to be the prefecture with the highest consumption of Sake anywhere in Japan. If that’s the case, I need to take the next flight out to join the Peeps! That’s really no surprise since the quality of the hundreds of different rice grains grown around many rice paddy fields in this area is taken to a serious art form. The water that cascades from the luminous mountain top joined by three rivers travel down to soak into the rice paddies; just as pure as a 00 clear diamond. Therefore, the name given by the brewer, PURE DAWN is highly justified.
PURE DAWN
Akita, named after the large breed of dogs originating from the mountains of northern Japan, is the same breed that ratted out OJ Simpson on his fateful night! Damn even Japanese dogs, have it in for Americans (LOL).
Looking up Pure Dawn on their online site is as simplified as “puresake.com” is going to get. Even though the brewery dates back to the 1600s, they really are a 21st. century brewery. I’m not going to confuse the factor, but the ancient brewery, Akita Shurui Seizoh Co., Ltd., the company based in Akita, Japan contracted with Terlato Wines International to market three of the PURE Sake series under the Shimizu ̄nō-mai brand (means Shimizu rice). Yes, you read that right, Terlato. This is the first time these are being imported into the U.S. by founder Italian family CEO William Terlato of the famed Alto Adige wines based on Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio!
Just to set the origins straight Terlato Wines International’s beginnings to trace back to 1938 in Chicago, with a retail store by Anthony Paterno. In 1987, while in Burgundy, France. Tony Terlato visited the Chapoutier winery, which was seeking a new agent to represent their wines in the U.S. market. Tony remembered the other fame Michel Chapoutier’s grandfather from Hermitage sought after Syrah cult wines. In the ’50s, he was at the time introduced to Michel Chapoutier’s grandson, then 25 years old. Smart business-driven Frenchie Michael was determined to collaborate with The Dom Italian Antonio to market both wines that lacked a market into the United States”. This partnership really had a strong influence on the Icon wine critic Robert Parker. Yet regardless of the confusing saga that brought this “Pure” Sake into our fold, has a takeaway. The power of globalization brings together 1600’s JapaneseTakashimizu Brewery (Akita Shurui Seizoh Co. Ltd.), late 1800’s French Rhone Chapoutier, and 1970’s Italian Boss Terlato for this spectacular Sake! Italian, French, and Italian what else do you need in a Sake except sushi pizza melted with Chevre.
How do you like your Sake???????
For this next segment please click on this article: “SAKE 101” for a depth process
PURE PLEASURE
It’s a rice blend of Akita Sake Komachi and Miyamanishiki, grown in Akita, Japan. The rice grain is milled to 55% of its original size; most other Junmai Ginjo Sakes are milled to only 60% of their original size. SMV value is + 3 and alcohol at 15.5 gives the impression the wine is soft and sweet on the front, but it’s in general pretty dry but with a PH acid of 1.6 that gives off a dry mineral finish. The bouquet is very pretty, like angel wings fluttering around the first kiss to the tongue, it then flirts with bright citrus fruit, a bunch of exotic flowers, crunchy apple texture. The Sake on the mid-palate hits with glycerol effect lifting sweet fleshy fruit and silky body along with perfumed nuance, the finishes long and dry spiky finish.
Interestingly they keep the moniker “Pure” within their series: Pure Snow (Nigori), Pure Dawn (falls here on the line-up) Pure Dusk, and Pure Night. What this means the series begins with the lightest style to their fullest body.
For your convenience, there’s no shortage of where you’re going to find “purity”: USA (Shimizu-no-mai brand), Korea, UK, Brazil, Australia, Taiwan, France, New Zealand, Switzerland, Arab, Singapore, India, Russia, and Ay Chihuahua, even Mexico!
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