Juyondai launches saké with Japanese football star

Japan’s Takagi Brewery has launched the first international release of its Black Label saké under its Juyondai brand in Hong Kong as part of a collaboration between the brewery and former Japanese football star Hidetoshi Nakata.

Founded in 1615, the Yamagata-based brewery’s high quality Juyondai saké has built a cult-like following among saké enthusiasts, with its sakés among the most sought-after in Japan.

The latest ‘Black Label’ release, made with special A grade Yamada Nishiki rice (koji rice) and special A grade Aiyama rice (kakemai rice), is described as having “luscious, tropical aroma of lychee, mango and gooseberry laced with soft floral notes resonates on the palate”.

Designed specifically for the export market, the brewery has streamlined the label’s complicated Japanese characters to focus on the sleek and minimalist design, which according to Nakata is less intimidating for non-Japanese customers.

The new ‘Black Label’ saké marks the second collaboration between Nakata and the Takagi Brewery after the two launched Nakata’s ‘N’ saké in 2013, sold exclusively to overseas market.

The ‘N’ saké became an instant hit in Hong Kong upon its release, according to Nakata, despite its hefty price tag. The latest 2016 ‘N’ saké retails for HK$8,000 (US$1,023) through its exclusive distributor Jebsen Fine Wines in Hong Kong.

Saké exports have doubled in the 10 years to some 18,180 kiloliters, according to Japanese government figures, as reported by AFP, with the US, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China and South Korea being the main export destinations.

“Export is growing with stronger demand for premium sake brand,” said the former football star.

In Hong Kong, where Japanese culture and cuisine are popular, saké has quickly crept up on Japanese restaurants with many sourcing saké directly from breweries in Japan.

Speaking of his intention to launch his own saké, Nakata added: “Saké became international in the last 10 years with Japanese restaurants. Then each restaurant had some saké, and that’s why people start to drink saké. But even today, most people who order saké don’t know the brands. The problem is a lack of branding, and that’s why the saké market’s range is narrower compared with wine.”

Asked about saké pairing, the former AC Milan football star encouraged diners to mix and match with different styles of cuisines to explore more possibilities, but stressed that saké should be properly stored no higher than 5°C for optimal enjoyment.

Both the Juyondai ‘Black Label’ saké and 2016 ‘N’ saké are distributed exclusively through Jebsen Fine Wines in Hong Kong. The former sells for HK$2,500 (US$320) retail.