INE MANKAI
Japanese red sake - 100% pure rice wine
Made partly from black rice, which is purple on the inside, resulting in a unique red colour. The sweetness and acidity of this sake combine into a fruity taste, which at times may taste like pomegranate followed by olives. The black rice used is a pre-historic variety, which was preserved at Tokyo Agricultural University. Sweet and smoky, a bit like sherry. Drink cold.
Brewery
The Mukai Shuzō brewery was founded in 1754. Mukai Kuniko, the brewer (tōji) of Mukai Shuzō is one of the first female brewers in Japan. She is constantly experimenting with new types of sake, most of which are made in miniscule amounts. The brewery is right on the Japan Sea, in a picturesque village known for its unique boat garages (funaya), located right under the houses that stick out over the water. Mukai Shuzō has recently become a strictly pure rice wine (junmaishu) brewery.
