Tokubetsu Junmai Nanbu Bijin

Tokubetsu Junmai sake from Nanbu Bijin in Iwate Prefecture. Enough body for grilled fish and chicken yakitori, and enough acidity to go with a rich miso glaze.

Nanbu Bijin, which translates roughly to "Southern Beauty," is a family-owned brewery based in Ninohe, Iwate Prefecture, in the Tohoku region of northern Japan.

The brewery has operated since 1902 and is now led by fifth-generation president Kosuke Kuji, who is well regarded in the international sake community for his advocacy and precision in production.

Tokubetsu Junmai is a step above standard Junmai classification, with the "Tokubetsu" designation indicating either a higher degree of rice milling or a special production technique that distinguishes it from the brewery's baseline offerings.

Nanbu Bijin uses soft local water from the Ninohe highlands, which lends a gentle, clean character to their sake. The rice is milled to at least 60 percent remaining, and the brewery employs traditional brewing methods consistent with the Nanbu Toji guild, one of Japan's most respected guilds of master brewers.

The result is a dry, food-friendly sake with a smooth texture that works well both at room temperature and gently warmed.