Ine Mankai Junmai Genshu

Mukai Shuzo, founded in 1754 in the fishing village of Ine on Kyoto's northern coast, was the first brewery in Japan to appoint a female toji when Kuniko Mukai took the role in 1999 at age 22. Ine Mankai ("Ine in Full Bloom") is her signature creation: a red rice sake made by blending an ancient, black-husked, purple-fleshed strain called Murasaki, polished to just 90-92%, with the locally grown white rice Kyo no Kagayaki (or Iwai), polished to 70%. The result is a striking rose-pink sake unlike almost anything else on the market - aromas of shoyu, stewed tomato, cherry, and vanilla lead into sweet-tart pomegranate and cherry flavors, with a rich, savory, umami-driven palate balanced by bright acidity. Best enjoyed chilled or on the rocks, it's a genuine conversation-starter that also stands up beautifully to a funky blue cheese or dark chocolate.