Nizawa Atago No Sakura Junmai Daiginjo Review: As Memorable As A Cherry Blossom In Spring

In the realm of sake, junmai daiginjo is a major talking point among nihonshu drinkers. Considered to be a high premium grade, junmai daiginjo sake has its fair share of admirers. I’m of the opinion that all sake is worth drinking. Each blend has its own unique flavour and no two bottles are ever the same.

But crossing into junmai daiginjo territory is always fun, and that’s exactly what I did with a bottle of Nizawa atago no sakura. Taking influence from the Japanese cherry blossom, this sake is certainly memorable.

What did I choose the bottle?

The atago no sakura was featured as part of the sake masterclass course that I did at Peter Street Kitchen in Manchester. The floral label immediately stood out. A sea of cherry blossoms gather around a green field. This made me think that the atago no sakura would taste fairly sweet, and I was glad to be proven right.

Tasting notes

The first thing that jumped out about the sake was its acidity. It was balanced, refreshing and light. An ideal palate cleaner. Notes of banana, melon, permission and blueberry mingled together. This created a lighter sweetness that differed from other junmai daiginjos I’ve tried.

The airiness of the atago no sakura made it simple to drink. There were no overpowering flavours. All hints of fruitiness combined for a versatile sake. I’d recommend the atago no sakura be served chilled and enjoyed with sashimi. The sweetness will add a refreshing tang to all kinds of fish dishes.