A Blend of Saga’s Rich Traditions and Innovative Sake Crafting
The Tenzan Brewery, which prides itself on the rich nature and traditions of Saga Prefecture, has been producing high-quality sake ever since its establishment in 1895. The Shichida series by Tenzan Brewery is particularly remarkable for its uniqueness and high quality. The name ” Shichida” is derived from the name of the brewer, the Shichida family, and reflects the family’s history and pride. This series of sake realizes the philosophy of Tenzan Brewery, offering sake that makes the most of the region’s rich bounty. The “Shichida” series, like all of Tenzan Brewery’s products, is made with excellent sake rice from Saga Prefecture and the pure water of the Tenzan mountain range. In particular, “Shichida Junmai Ginjo” and “Shichida Junmai” are highly appreciated by many sake lovers for their mellow aroma and rich flavor.
The difference between the Tenzan series and the Shichida series lies in the brand concept, manufacturing methods and techniques, and flavors and characteristics. The Tenzan series focuses on tradition and local character, while the Shichida series seeks innovation while reflecting family history and pride. In terms of flavor and characteristics, the Tenzan series is characterized by its depth and aroma, with a wide variety of seasonal products. The Shichida series is characterized by its fruity, delicate aroma and smooth mouthfeel.
An essential part of Tenzan Brewery’s sake brewing process is the famous water from the Gion River that runs in front of the brewery and its source, Kiyomizu Falls. This water is medium-hard with no iron and high mineral content, including calcium and magnesium, making it ideal for sake brewing. Furthermore, approximately 80% of the rice used is locally grown in Saga Prefecture, with a particular focus on Yamada-Nishiki and Saga-no-hana. In 2005, Tenzan Brewery established the Tenzan Sake Rice Cultivation Study Group with farmers in Saga Prefecture to cultivate high quality sake rice.
Shochu is the most popular type of alcohol in Kyushu, but Saga Prefecture is also a major producer of sake, and “Saga sake” is gaining recognition overseas, partly due to the global boom in Japanese food. Tenzan Brewery also has sales channels in 25 countries and regions and is highly regarded in overseas markets. Kensuke Shichida, the sixth-generation brewer and president of the company, felt that sake was too cheap compared to wine and that the pursuit of quality was important. In 2001, we launched the “Shichida” brand and developed a sake that was made as a food sake, unfiltered, unpasteurized, and once-hot-pasteurized to pursue the flavor and sharpness of the rice. The award won by Saga’s Fukuchiyo Sake Brewery at the International Wine Challenge (IWC), and the increased recognition of Saga sake, also provided a following boost. Tenzan Brewery has won gold medals in international competitions and was the first gold medalist in Kura Master, a sake competition founded in France.
Among these, the Shichida-brand Junmai Daiginjo “Parfait,” made with the highest grade sake rice and carefully brewed with hard water from the local Tenzan mountain range, was awarded the Grand Prize at both the IWC and Kura Master. Priced at about four times the price of the high-end line, it is a special sake that is as good as fine wine and will be available in the U.S. and Thailand in the fall of 2019.
Tenzan Brewery has a showroom that was converted from an old sake brewery and has become a popular spot for foreign visitors to Japan. Currently, 15% of sales are in overseas markets, but President Shichida is determined to increase this to 30% within five years. To develop new markets, the company plans to focus on sparkling sake and other products.
Tenzan Brewery’s mixture of tradition and innovation will continue to pass on Saga Prefecture’s proud sake culture to the next generation. We hope you will experience its rich flavor and high quality. (Mr.Bacchus)
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