SAKE HUNDRED’s Shinsei and Kura Master 2026 Reveal a New Map for Sparkling Sake
In a single glass, the methodology of Champagne meets the uniquely Japanese culture of kijoshu. SAKE HUNDRED’s “Shinsei” is a modern sparkling Junmai Daiginjo that unites these two design principles in one bottle.
Where Two Traditions Converge
Shinsei’s production brings together two traditions.
The first is secondary fermentation in bottle. Using the same traditional method as Champagne, sugar and yeast are added to trigger a second fermentation inside the bottle, creating fine, delicate bubbles. The second is kijoshu brewing, a method unique to sake in which part of the brewing water is replaced with finished sake, producing dense sweetness and layered umami.
Sparkling sake typically uses one of these methods or the other. Shinsei integrates both, resulting in a Junmai Daiginjo of profound complexity. It presents fine effervescence alongside aromas and flavors reminiscent of white peach and Japanese pear, followed by a long, lingering finish.
For its rice, Shinsei uses a special sake rice called Yume Sansui. Developed in Aichi Prefecture, it is produced in far smaller quantities than major varieties such as Yamada Nishiki and Gohyakumangoku. The choice reflects a design philosophy that keeps the character of the raw material sharply defined.
The Philosophy of SAKE HUNDRED and Clear
Behind Shinsei is SAKE HUNDRED, a sake brand launched in 2018 by Clear Inc. With the mission “To enrich your life with the world’s finest sake,” the brand has narrowed its lineup to just over a dozen labels and is regarded as a pioneer in elevating sake to the realm of global fine dining.
Its flagship Junmai Daiginjo Byakko, the special cuvée Byakko Bespoke, Nikko, Shirin, and Shinsei each embodies a distinct design philosophy. Together, they stand as multiple answers to a single question: whether sake can claim an independent place within the global culinary market.
What Kura Master 2026 Signals
In 2026, just as sake of this kind was beginning to enter the arena of global evaluation, several sparkling sakes from different breweries won Platinum and Gold awards in the sparkling category at Kura Master, the international sake competition held in France.
Three labels received Platinum awards: Dewatsuru’s “Awazake Ashita e,” Shichiken’s “Hoshi no Kagayaki Sparkling,” and Yatsushika’s “Sparkling Byakko Rosé.” Two received Gold awards: Dewazakura’s “AWA SAKE” and Haneya’s “Sparkling.” The results highlight the diversity of the category, spanning five breweries across five prefectures.
Sparkling sake has rapidly attracted attention in recent years among sommeliers and bartenders around the world as a new gastronomic option: one that overlays the format of traditional sparkling wines with sake’s umami and complexity. The Kura Master results provide an objective benchmark for that emerging movement.
The View from Bangkok
As Bangkok’s gastronomic landscape continues to evolve, the arrival of sophisticated sparkling sakes like Shinsei reflects a growing appreciation for this category. While distinct from the specific labels recognized at Kura Master 2026, Shinsei—with its dual design of secondary fermentation in bottle and kijoshu brewing—stands on the exact same horizon as the movement currently championed by international judges.
Over the next decade, sparkling sake will likely become an increasingly familiar presence not only in Japanese restaurants, but also in French dining, modern Thai tasting menus, and hotel bars.
Already standing quietly at that threshold is a bottle like Shinsei, with its crystal bubbles and the depth of kijoshu. The dual process chosen by SAKE HUNDRED, and the new map of sparkling sake drawn in France by Kura Master: where these two lines intersect, the contours of Bangkok’s next decade of dining are beginning to take shape. (Mr. Bacchus)
This article is intended solely to explore the craftsmanship of SAKE HUNDRED’s “Shinsei” sparkling sake, the brewing philosophy of CLEAR Inc., and the global rise of premium sparkling sake reflected in the Kura Master 2026 awards and is not intended to promote or encourage the consumption of alcohol. / บทความนี้จัดทำขึ้นเพื่อนำเสนอข้อมูลเกี่ยวกับศิลปะการผลิตของสาเกสปาร์กลิ้ง “Shinsei” จาก SAKE HUNDRED ปรัชญาการผลิตของ CLEAR Inc. และการเติบโตของสาเกสปาร์กลิ้งระดับพรีเมียมที่สะท้อนในผลรางวัล Kura Master 2026 เท่านั้น มิได้มีเจตนาเพื่อส่งเสริมหรือโฆษณาเครื่องดื่มแอลกอฮอล์ สำหรับผู้มีอายุ 20 ปีขึ้นไป โปรดดื่มอย่างรับผิดชอบ