Producer: Tomita Shuzo — Shichi Hon Yari
Category: Sake - Junmai
Raw material: Tamasakae Rice
Region: Kinki, Japan
Subregion: Shiga

Notes
This sake is made at the 3rd oldest brewery in Japan, the Tomita Brewery, which was founded in the 1540's. It is managed by the 15th generation of the family. Despite the long history of this brewery, the current brewmaster and son, Yasunobu is one of the leaders of a new generation of sake makers.

TASTING NOTE
Dried mushroom on the nose; viscous and creamy in weight and texture; bright grapefruit notes on palate; crisp finish.

FOOD PAIRING
Serve room temperature or warmed with mushroom risotto, nutty cheese, or stews.

Region: Shiga
Grade: Junmai
Seimaibuai: 60%
Nihonshudo: +4.0
Rice: Tamazakae
Yeast: Association #1401
Pressing: Fune

POINTS OF DISTINCTION
Made at the 3rd oldest brewery in Japan, the Tomita Brewery, founded in the 1540's
Managed by the 15th generation of the family
Technically qualifying as a junmai ginjo, this junmai is a great introduction to sake

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Shichi Hon Yari is named after the seven spearsmen who became legends at the battle of Shizugatake fought just outside the town of Kinomoto in 1583.
Shichi Hon Yari sake is primarily made with Tamazakae rice
TOMITA BREWERY

Shichi Hon Yari is named after the seven spearsmen who became legends at the battle of Shizugatake fought just outside the town of Kinomoto in 1583. In this battle, these seven warriors crushed their enemy and brought victory to their leader, the warlord, Hideyoshi. One battle later, Hideyoshi defeated the Nobunaga clan and secured his dominance over Japan. When the Tomita’s started shipping their sake to the new capital of Tokyo, in the Edo Period, they named their sake after these great warriors and created the “sake of victory.”

SHICHI HON YARI SAKE
Shichi Hon Yari sake is primarily made with Tamazakae rice, Shiga-ken’s indigenous sakamai. The Tomita’s and their farmers use mineral water which runs from the nearby Ibuki mountains down to their village. This water is so suited for sake making that they use it as is, without being filtered. Shichi Hon Yari sake can best be described as light, approachable and well-balanced.

SHICHI HON YARI
Founded in the 1540’s in the small town of Kinomoto, with its production limited to just over 5,000 cases per year, the Tomita Shuzou is one of the oldest and smallest breweries in Japan. With one toji and three brewers producing every bottle, this sake is truly te–zukuri, or “handmade.” Today, the Tomita Brewery is filled with the energy of a new generation, as it lays a new foundation for many more years to come.