Concept
Timeless Sake : Soube Wase
A timeless gift from the past, bestowed upon the present and the next hundred years to come.
Features
The smoothest texture comes from the ultra-soft water
Natural water taken from Mt. Chokai in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. This ultra-soft water with a hardness of 21mg brings unparalleled smoothness of Tatenokawa Soube Wase.
The legendary ancient rice revived from 150 years ago
Once a native variety in Yamagata, Soube Wase gradually disappeared from the spotlight due to cultivation challenges. However, we revived it from 1.9kg (4.2lb) of seeds, bringing it back to life from 150 years ago after a three-year journey.
Special brewing method for maximum rich umami
After three more years of trial and error, we finally arrived at a brewing method that brings out the rich umami of Soube Wase rice and takes advantage of its complexity and multiple layers.
Specification
Tatenokawa Soube Wase 2022
- Concept
- Timeless Sake
- Category
- Junmai Daiginjo
- Ingredients
- water, rice, koji
- Rice
- Soube Wase 100%
- ABV
- 15%
- Polishing Ratio
- 45%
- Volume
- 720ml
- Serving Suggestions
- At room temp
- Flavor
- Rich umami and smooth, with complex and layered acidity
- Pairing
- Sushi, oyster, lobster, wagyu, cheese, ankimo
- All Natural
-
Gluten Free
No Additives
No Preservatives
No Added Sugar
No Sulfites
Story
The Story of Soube Wase
Legendary rice lost to history
To create the one and only sake, we uncovered the story of Soube Wase, an ancient rice variety from Yamagata's Shonai region, which is the origin of Koshi hikari, Akita komachi, Sasa nishiki, and Kame-no-o. Thought lost to history, it miraculously persevered within the Agricultural Experiment Station, where its seeds were preserved. With unwavering determination, we secured only 1.9 kg of these precious seeds and embarked on the revival of this legendary ancient rice.
Revival of Soube Wase rice
The challenge was a series of difficulties. Its towering stature and tendency to collapse deterred many farmers. Yet, one of our contract farmers emerged as our guiding light. With expertise in cultivating tall varieties, they embarked on the mission to revive Soube Wase. After three years of unwavering commitment, 2019 marked a significant milestone as the golden harvest graced our fields, yielding enough rice to commence our sake-making journey.
Facing nature, feeling history, talking with rice
However, challenges persisted. The Soube Wase possessed qualities that were contrary to the typical characteristics deemed favorable for sake production. It was exceptionally hard, heart-white is small, and a high protein content. Undeterred, we persevered tirelessly, refining our brewing techniques and relentlessly pursuing the perfect brew that would unlock the authentic allure of Soube Wase.
Tatenokawa Soube Wase 2022 comes to life
After three years of trial and error starting in 2019, we finally arrived at a brewing method that maximizes the appeal of Soube Wase in 2022. The hard rice demands meticulous koji-making and precise adjustments to water absorption, enabling its dissolution and unlocking a diverse array of flavors. We use a special brewing mixture that reduces the proportion of water used in the brewing process, and brews the same way as when we were founded in 1832, to create a rich flavor. After a long slumber of 150 years, Soube Wase has successfully returned to the forefront and has been reborn as the finest sake of our time.
Story With You
Timeless
The Yamagata terroir encompasses regional water, rice, koji, winter snow, summer sun, our history and traditions, and the passion of our brewers. We have created this sake by reviving the legendary Soube Wase rice strain, historically used over 100 years ago, through a meticulous process spanning four years. Crossing the boundaries of a century, we have poured all of this into this bottle, now delivered to you.
Blessing
We offer this bottle as a blessing for this moment, that you may share with your cherished partner, family, friends, colleagues, or those you love. Whether you are celebrating an accomplishment, an anniversary or an everyday happiness, embracing a new challenge, or healing from great sorrow, we hope to uplift and support you, adding color to every moment, through this special sake.
Sharing
While the world may sometimes be divided and it seems we spend more time in virtual meeting spaces, the significance, beauty, and love of human connections never change. At Tatenokawa, we believe that gathering in person and spending time together brings even more joy to our lives. Sake brings people together and has a tradition of pouring for one another to show respect, appreciation, and gratitude. Just once is enough. Please pour for one another to create lasting memories of this wonderful moment.
With this timeless blessing shared, we hope this sake, born from the revival of ancient Soube Wase rice from over 100 years ago, will bring you joy in this present moment and for the next 100 years.
Kampai!
Restaurants with Soube Wase
