Miyakobijin Taiyou, a sake brewed locally in Hyogo Prefecture, was crowned the winner of a prestigious international competition in London on Tuesday.
The junmai ginjo sake, made from only polished rice, yeast and water, won the Champion Sake trophy this year at the sake section of the International Wine Challenge, one of the world’s largest blind tasting events.
According to the tasting notes, the sake has “aroma’s of muskmelon, strawberries, a hint of nut and almond spice with a superbly integrated acidity on the palate, complete with notes of anise and white asparagus.”
Miyakobijin Shuzo, located in the city of Minamiawaji, is the brewery of Miyakobijin Taiyou, the first local sake from Hyogo to win the IWC award.
“I would be happy if this is an opportunity for us to be tasted all over the world,” said Osamu Ie, a master brewer at the brewery.
Ie, 69, originally from Noto City, Ishikawa Prefecture, has been brewing sake at Miyakobijin Shuzo since October 2023.
Unable to leave the brewery when the earthquake struck his hometown on January 1 on the Noto Peninsula, he kept in touch with his family while busy brewing sake.
“There are so many things that are connected behind the award,” Ie said. “I hope the award will cheer up my fellow brewers from Noto.”
Meanwhile, Niizawa Sake Brewery Miyagi Prefecture was named Sake Brewer of the Year by IWC. All sake products submitted to the event received high scores.
A sake produced by Nabedana in Chiba Prefecture was awarded the Great Value Champion Sake award.
IWC’s sake division was launched in 2007. This year, 1,504 brands from seven economies participated in the event.
