Categories and grades

Question 1

What are the two main categories of sake?

Answer 1

1. Futsu-shu (basic sake)
2. Premium sake

Question 2

What is Futsu-shu?
abv?
General flavor profile?

Answer 2

• simple clear, colorless or yellow sake
• 15-17% abv.
• slightly sweet, lightly acidic w/ delicate lactic and cereal flavors

Question 3

How many grades of premium sake are there?

What are the 2 main sub-divisions?

Answer 3

6

• junmai (pure rice, no alc added)
• honjōzō (alc added)

Question 4

What does Junmai mean?

Answer 4

Pure rice, no high strength distilled alcohol added

Question 5

Which 3 premium grade sakes have alcohol added?

Answer 5

• Honjozo
• Ginjo
• Daiginjo

Question 6

Junmai and Honjozo sakes typically display what flavor/aroma characteristics?

Answer 6

Cereal and lactic aromas w/more acid and umami.

Question 7

(Junmai) Ginjō and (Junmai) Daiginjō sakes typically display what flavor/aroma characteristics?

Answer 7

Fruity, floral aromas with less acid and umami.

Question 8

What is umami?

Answer 8

a taste linked with savory aromas. eg: cooked mushroom, meat broth, soy sauce, miso, nutritional yeast