”Denshu” is one of the labels representative of Nishida Brewery. The word ”den” means rice field. ”Sake” is all about rice. It was named after the rice fields in which the rice is harvested. They have made a firm commitment to only using rice that comes from rice fields in Japan, without adding anything such as alcohol. As the name suggests, it has attracted many ”junmaishu” fans with its tasty rice flavor.
In 1970, Nishida Shuzo began making ”junmaishu” using traditional, totally non automated methods in their desire to ”return to the roots of Japanese ”sake” and brew genuinely authentic ”sake”. It was commercialized three years later in 1973.
Creating Aomori “sake” with rice produced in Aomori
Further improvements were made to Denshu. They have revived a variety of rice which was said to be a myth, called ”Kojonishiki”. The first Aomori rice suitable for sake brewing was revived with help from a specific farmer with preparations beginning in 1991. It was made available locally as ”Denshu Kojononishiki”.
Also from the Denshu series, ”Junmai Daiginjo Hyakuyonju (one hundred forty) Denshu” uses ”Hanaomoi”, another Aomori rice suitable for sake. ”Hanaomoi” is used for everything including kojimai and kakemai, making it a true ”local Aomori sake”, and further enhancing its reputation..
“Sake” made by the powers of nature
We had a chance to taste Denshu after touring the brewery. First, we enjoyed the aroma. A sharp aroma stimulates our senses. Nakata takes one sip and then another. The smooth taste of rice makes it easy to drink. You can drink this non stop.
They also served us a slightly carbonated version of Denshu called ”Flower Snow”. This ”sake” sold out quickly because production was limited. ”It can be made with only high spirited ingredients” they told us. Actually, it was so spirited, that some bottles overflowed when customers popped the cork. When Nakata inquired ”Don’t you adjust the carbonation?”, they answered, ”We believe everything should be natural. So carbonation should be natural too.”
Rice born in the rice fields of Aomori. Aomori ”sake” made from that rice. A local ”sake” representative of Aomori, Denshu is brewed at the only brewery in Aomori City.
