Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Sapporo Regional Taxation Bureau
With the aim of improving the sake-brewing craft, the Sapporo Regional Taxation Bureau hosted Sinshu Kanpyokai (the Hokkaido Sake Awards ) contest to evaluate the quality of sake made during the 2013 brewing year (July 2013 until June 2014) in a competition of manufacturing technology, and announced the examination results today.
Entries to the Hokkaido Sake Awards comprised 105 sakes from 12 sake breweries in Hokkaido, and were evaluated by a quality examination jury of 26 members.
As a result, 8 entries from 4 breweries won the Gold Prize for Dosanmai ginjo-shu, 7 entries from 3 breweries won the Gold Prize for Ginjo-shu, and 5 entries from 4 breweries won the Gold Prize for Junmai-shu.
*Please refer to the 2013 Sake Awards Notice (Excerpt) for details on the purpose of holding the event.
Entry Category | Winners | Totals*1 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Winning Breweries | Winning Entries | Entrants | Entries*2 | |
Dosanmai ginjo-shu | 4(4) | 8(7) | 10(10) | 40(43) |
Ginjo-shu | 3(3) | 7(7) | 7(7) | 34(35) |
Junmai-shu | 4(4) | 5(4) | 12(11) | 31(33) |
The following manufacturers won Gold Prizes (Tax Office order).
Entry Category | Tax Office | Manufacturer Name | Representative Label |
---|---|---|---|
Dosanmai ginjo-shu | Sapporo-naka | NIPPON SEISHU CO., LTD. (CHITOSETSURU BREWERY) |
CHITOSETSURU |
Otaru | TANAKA SAKE BREWING CO., LTD. | TAKARAGAWA | |
Asahikawa-naka | GODO SHUSEI CO., LTD. (ASAHIKAWA FACTORY) | TAISETSU NO KURA | |
Kushiro | FUKUTSUKASA CORPORATION | FUKUTSUKASA | |
Ginjo-shu | Otaru | KITANOHOMARE SHUZO CO., LTD. | KITANOHOMARE |
Asahikawa-higasi | OTOKOYAMA CO., LTD. | OTOKOYAMA | |
Kushiro | Kushiro | FUKUTSUKASA | |
Junmai-shu | Sapporo-naka | NIPPON SEISHU CO., LTD. (CHITOSETSURU BREWERY) |
CHITOSETSURU |
Asahikawa-naka | AKASAGOSHUZO CO., LTD. | KOKUSHIMUSO | |
Iwamizawa | KOBAYASHI SHUZO CO., LTD. | KITANONISHIKI | |
Takikawa | KINTEKI SHUZO CO., LTD. | KINTEKI |
(1) Dosanmai ginjo-shu
Ginjo-shu entries were made with brew-suited Hokkaido rice varietals, like Ginpu, Suisei, and Kitashizuku.
Blessed with fine ingredient rice this brewing year, the results revealed a delectable flavor of rice in the entries, many excelling as ginjo-shu with a harmonious balance of flavors.
(2) Ginjo-shu
The ginjo-shu entries were mainly made with the Yamadanishiki varietal for brewing rice.
Many entries were discovered again this brewing year to have a smooth taste and rich notes.
(3) Junmai-shu
The ginjo-shu entries were mainly made with the Yamadanishiki varietal for brewing rice.Many entries were discovered again this brewing year to have a smooth taste and rich notes.
2013 Sake Awards Notice (Excerpt)
The Hokkaido Sake Awards evaluate the quality of sake made during the 2013 brewing year. Based on the results of the evaluations, manufacturers recognized with outstanding sake-making craft are commended to promote advancement and progress in the sake-making craft, drive quality improvement of sake within the region, and consequently contribute to the development of the beverage alcohol industry.
(1) Quality Examinations Date: March 24, 2014 (Mon.) ~ March 25, 2014 (Tue.)
Venue: Office of Analysis and Brewing Technology, Sapporo Common Government Building No. 2
(2) Manufacturing Technology Workshop
Date: April 8, 2014 (Tue.)
Venue: Auditorium, Sapporo Common Government Building No. 2
There are three entry categories: Dosanmai ginjo-shu, Ginjo-shu, and Junmai-shu.
(1) Dosanmai ginjo-shu
Entries that can be labeled as ginjo-shu under the labeling standards for the manufacturing process and quality of sake, manufactured from 100% Hokkaido rice.
(2) Ginjo-shu
Entries that can be labeled as ginjo-shu under the labeling standards for the manufacturing process and quality of sake (excluding ginjo-shu meeting the description of (1) above).
(3) Junmai-shu
Entries that can be labeled as junmai-shu under the labeling standards for the manufacturing process and quality of sake with a Seimai-buai (rice-polishing ratio) of 55% or greater.
*Refer to Attachment 1 regarding the labeling standards for the manufacturing process and quality of sake.
*Refer to Attachment 2 for the manufacturing status of ginjo-shu and junmai-shu, etc.
(1) Jury
Staff members at instructional institutions of sake-making craft, manufacture personnel at sake brewing facilities (those with manufacture knowledge and sensory evaluation experience for beverage alcohol with three or more years of experience in technical instruction or sake manufacture operations) and comparable individuals requested by the Director of the Office of Analysis and Brewing Technology, and technical officers
*Refer to Attachment 3 for the jury members.
(2) Examination Items and Methods
Quality examinations are conducted by entry category for a comprehensive evaluation (score) and flavor characteristics (scale and profile).
(3) Comprehensive Evaluation Standards
Respective jury members make evaluations based on their respective wealth of manufacturing technology knowledge and experience in evaluation.
a. Dosanmai ginjo-shu and Ginjo-shu categories
Relative evaluation of superiority in characteristic ginjo-shu flavor and clarity
b. Junmai-shu category
Relative evaluation of superiority in characteristic junmai-shu flavor and clarity
After compilation of the results of comprehensive evaluation for Dosanmai ginjo-shu, Ginjo-shu, and Junmai-shu categories, the entries finishing in the upper rankings (approximately 40% of entrants) shall be commended as Gold Prize winners, whose manufacturers will be presented with award certificates.
The manufacturing technology workshop is held to allow entrants to mutually evaluate and study all of the entries, which are fully laid out.
Participants are associates of the sake manufacturing industry (minors under 20 years old are excluded).
Gold Prize winners will be denoted with a gold tag on their bottle.
Labeling Standards for the Manufacturing Process and Quality of Sake (Overview)
National Tax Agency Notice No. 8, November 22, 1989
○ Labeling Tokutei meisho (specific designations) of sake
Tokutei meisho of sake refer to ginjo-shu, junmai-shu, and honjozo-shu, and may be so labeled as long as they meet the prescribed requirements.。
Tokutei meisho is classed in eight different classifications according to ingredients, manufacture method, etc.
Tokutei meisho | Ingredients Used | Seimai-buai | Ratio of koji rice | Other features, including flavor |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ginjo-shu | Rice, koji, Jozo-alcohol | Up to 60% | 15% or more | Ginjo-zukuri method, characteristic flavor, high clarity |
Daiginjo-shu | Rice, koji, Jozo-alcohol | Up to 50% | 15% or more | Ginjo-zukuri method, characteristic flavor, best clarity |
Junmai-shu | Rice, koji | -- | 15%or more | Good flavor, high clarity |
Junmai-ginjo-shu | Rice, koji | Up to 60% | 15% or more | Ginjo-zukuri method, characteristic flavor, high clarity |
Junmai-daiginjo-shu | Rice, koji | Up to 50% | 15% or more | Ginjo-zukuri method, characteristic flavor, best clarity |
Tokubetsu-junmai-shu | Rice, koji | Up to 60%, or specially processed | 15% or more | Good flavor, best clarity |
f you need further information, please refer to the linked Japanese page.
国税庁ホームページ>「刊行物等」>「パンフレット・手引」>「酒税関係」>「酒のしおり(平成26年3月)」>「19 清酒の製法品質表示基準」
Manufacture Status of Ginjo-shu and Junmai-shu in 2012 Brewing Year
During the 2012 brewing year (July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013), the manufactured volumes of ginjo-shu and junmai-shu (20% ABV equivalent) in Hokkaido were as follows:
Category | Hokkaido | Japan |
---|---|---|
All Sake | ![]() |
![]() |
4,306 | 445,716 | |
(100.00) | (100.00) | |
Ginjo-shu | 144 | 20,745 |
(3.34) | (4.65) | |
Junmai Ginjo-shu | 422 | 31,245 |
(9.80) | (7.01) | |
Junmai-shu | 1,127 | 47,745 |
(26.17) | (10.71) |
※The figures in parentheses are percentages relative to all sake.
If you need further information, please refer to the linked Japanese page.
国税庁ホームページ>「税の情報・手続・用紙」>「お酒に関する情報」>「統計情報・各種資料」>「その他」>「清酒の製造状況等について」>「平成24酒造年度における清酒の製造状況等について(平成26年1月)」
Hokkaido Sake Awards 2013 Quality Examination Jury
Name | Affiliation |
---|---|
KOZO ASANO | RESEARCH FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE, HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY |
KAZUYA TOMINAGA | HOKKAIDO RESEACH ORGANIZATION FOOD PROCESSING RESEARCH CENTER |
RYOJI NAKAGAWA | HOKKAIDO RESEACH ORGANIZATIONFOOD PROCESSING RESEARCH CENTER |
KAZUTOSHI SAKAMOTO | NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BREWING |
KAZUYUKI SATO | NIPPON SEISHU CO., LTD. |
RYUICHI KOIWA | NIPPON SEISHU CO., LTD. |
KAZUYOSHI TANAKA | TANAKA SAKE BREWING CO., LTD. |
ATSUO TAKANO | TANAKA SAKE BREWING CO., LTD. |
TOSHINORI TSUCHIYA | KITA NO HOMARE SHUZO CO ., LTD. |
NOBUAKI INOUE | KITA NO HOMARE SHUZO CO ., LTD. |
MIZUGUCHI TETSUJI | GODO SHUSEI CO., LTD. |
YOSHIHISA MORIMOTO | TAKASAGOSHUZO CO., LTD. |
YUUKI ISHII | TAKASAGOSHUZO CO., LTD. |
HIDEFUMI KITAMURA | OTOKOYAMA CO., LTD. |
DAISUKE TANAKA | OTOKOYAMA CO., LTD. |
KAZUMA YANASE | FUKUTSUKASA CORPORATION |
SATOKO ICHIZAWA | FUKUTSUKASA CORPORATION |
SEIJI KOBAYASHI | KOBAYASHI SHUZO CO., LTD. |
SHUJI MINAMI | KOBAYASHI SHUZO CO., LTD. |
HIROKI HIGASHIYA | KUNIMARE SHUZO INC. |
EIJI SANO | KUNIMARE SHUZO INC. |
SHINJI KAWABATA | KINTEKI SHUZO CO., LTD. |
WATARU MIZUGUCHI | NISEKO SHUZO CO., LTD. |
KENTAROU ISHIDA | OFFICE OF ANALYSIS AND BREWING TECHNOLOGY, SAPPORO REGIONAL TAXATION BUREAU |
OSAMU MATUZAKI | OFFICE OF ANALYSIS AND BREWING TECHNOLOGY, SAPPORO REGIONAL TAXATION BUREAU |
KAZUHIRO HARA | OFFICE OF ANALYSIS AND BREWING TECHNOLOGY, SAPPORO REGIONAL TAXATION BUREAU |