For an introduction to Japanese sake, start with plum wine! Umeshu made with Japanese sake has a different taste

It's July, and it's the season when many plum wines are lined up in supermarkets. Umeshu is the most familiar fruit liquor because it can be easily pickled at home. Isn't it an exciting season for those who are making plum wine at home?

Actually, even if you say "plum wine" in one word, did you know that the difference in the base liquor creates a considerable difference in taste?

This time, I would like to introduce the difference between the base liquors of plum wine, especially sake-based plum wine!

There are actually a lot of plum wine bases

Umeshu is made by soaking unripe plums in sake, but there are no rules about the type of sake that serves as the base, and various kinds of sake are used.

There is no loss in knowing the type of base liquor and the characteristics of plum wine using it.

shochu

The most popular base. The sweetness of the plum is brought out, and the taste is deep.

Sake

The umami of rice unique to Japanese sake and the sweet and sour taste of plums combine to create an exquisite taste. It will be a mellow and easy-to-drink plum wine.

rum

You can enjoy a fruity and sweet scent. There are many things that you can feel the taste of alcohol firmly.

wine

The sweetness of grapes and the sweet and sourness of plums combine to create a fruity dessert-like taste.

vodka

The alcohol is strong, so it's perfect for those who like plum wine but don't have enough alcohol. You can enjoy the strong alcohol feeling.

■For the sake challenge, start with plum wine!

Shochu is commonly used as a base for plum wine. White liquor is almost tasteless and odorless, and it seems that it is often used because it does not affect the original sweetness and aroma of plums.

However, sake-based umeshu adds the umami that can only be enjoyed with sake, and you can feel the overlap and depth of the taste.

That's why, for those who say, "I like umeshu, but I haven't had much sake..." or "I want to learn more about sake, but where should I start...", we recommend starting with sake-based umeshu!

So, I picked up two sake-based plum wines recommended for the sake challenge.

Yamagata Masamune plum wine

Image Source: Mirai Nihonshuten

"Yamagata Masamune Umeshu" ( 1,500 yen, tax included), made by Mitobe Sake Brewery in Yamagata Prefecture, is the perfect umeshu for those who aren't satisfied with commercial umeshu.

The flesh of Nanko plums is soaked in Yamagata Masamune's pure rice sake, creating a masterpiece with a deep flavor. The moment you put it in your mouth, the sweetness spreads in the sourness, and the afterglow of plum spreads until the end.

It is recommended not only on the rocks and with soda, but also over yogurt and vanilla ice cream.

Toyono plum pure rice brewing sake from the finest rice pure sake

Image Source: Mirai Nihonshuten

The "Toyono Ume Junmai Ginjo Namashu" ( 1,550 yen, tax included) made by Takagi Sake Brewery in Kochi Prefecture has an alcohol content of 16 % and is perfect for those who want to feel the alcohol.

It is a HOWA HOWA type sake with a rich aroma and rich taste that comes out when you put it in your mouth, and it goes well with plum wine, where the aroma is important.

The aroma that rises from the glass you pour it into is well-balanced, and the umami of the rice is firmly on top.

Because it is plum wine that you are used to drinking, it is perfect for beginners to Japanese sake.

Of course, shochu-based umeshu is delicious because you can enjoy the original taste and aroma of plums, but please try sake-based umeshu that adds the umami of sake!