8 sakes to get you started

Japanese rice alcohol, "nihonshu" (its real Japanese name) is making its way into the sphere of spirits consumed in Europe, and particularly in France. whether consumed chilled like a white wine for modern sake, or warm for a more traditional approach as in Japan, sake reveals great aromatic power.

For a first taste, modern sake

Modern sakes are the perfect way to discover this spirit, thanks to their fresh, fruity aromas and the way they are enjoyed. They are best served chilled, between 5 and 12°C, like a white wine. These contemporary sakes go perfectly with delicate dishes such as steamed white fish, or with certain cheeses, which they complement with their subtle, fruity notes.

Nakano Shuzo - Saika - Junmai Daiginjo

A nose marked by citrus fruits, crunchy granny apples and tangy candy. After a little opening, a pretty sensation of oat milk and dried hay appears. A gentle impression of summer in the countryside, between the warmth of a wheat field and the freshness of a river. The attack on the palate reveals a certain acidity that awakens the whole tasting experience. Citrus fruits remain, with pear, orange peel and clementine. Delicious and fresh at the same time.

• Score : 93/100
• Price: €29.80 (72 cl)

Masumi - Origarami - Sparkling

An incredible white wine nose. It smells of sauvignon, crisp fresh grapes, gala apples, pineapple, white flowers and toast. Vegetal notes like cut grass add to this sauvignon sensation. On the palate, the bubbles are fine, and there's a lovely roundness with that umami sweetness carried through to the soy sauce. The slightly yeasty finish reveals pretty bitters that whet the appetite. A good entry point for those unfamiliar with sake.

• Score : 93/100
• Price: €45.90 (75 cl)

Izumibashi - Tonbo Green - Junmai

The nose is quite sweet, fruity but not overly so, with a hint of umami, miso and a touch of soy. The palate is rather fluid, with just the right amount of greed and sweetness. Retro on small shiitake mushroom, toasted cereal, but also blackberry and fresh raspberry. The finish is cuddly and comforting. The style is accessible without denying a certain complexity. It's all about balance and sweetness. A delicate, comforting sake.

• Score : 90/100
• Price: €31.50 (72 cl)

Asahi Shuzo - Dassai 39 - Junmai Daiginjo

An expressive nose of watermelon, white flowers, geranium and a hint of anise, finishing with pear and apple. It's very fresh and engaging, a style in keeping with modern sake. On the palate, there's a lovely sweetness with a middle note of umami, miso, hazelnut and roasted almond. The aftertaste of crunchy, acidic, sweet apple makes the mouth water. The finish is long on pepper and lightly roasted fruit. A tasty sake with exceptional finesse.

• Score : 92/100
• Price: €49.90 (72 cl)

For the more adventurous, traditional sake

If you'd like to take your discovery of sake a step further and explore its most authentic version, turn to unfiltered sake, in the purest Japanese tradition. Don't hesitate to enjoy it warm, a typical winter practice. Sake then reveals a softer texture: its acidity diminishes, while the aromas of its original ingredients and its alcohol content come to the fore. This method of tasting goes perfectly with seasonal dishes such as winter dishes, root vegetables or rich, comforting broths.

Yamaoka - Zuikan Vintage 2018 - Junmai Koshu

The evolution on the nose is well underway, with intense notes of soy shiitake, miso, dried mushroom, then roasted vegetables with black garlic and a nice hint of old Parmesan. Bitter cocoa is not far off. On the palate, there's a lovely straightforwardness and an enveloping sensation of fatty, mature cheddar, the power of mushrooms, boletes en persillade, chanterelles sautéed in garlic. But also grapefruit zest. Intense, powerful, luminous umami. A table sake, of course.

• Score : 94/100
• Price: €35.60 (72 cl)

Suwaizumi - Yakami - Junmai

The pinkish color is astonishing, linked to an ancient variety of "purple rice". The nose is original: herbs, genepi, elderflower, fragrant rice, roasted cereals and sugarcane. On the palate, sweetness dominates, with floral aromas, cherry blossom and juicy, ripe cherries. The finish tastes of mushrooms cooked in soy, adding a touch of umami. Enjoy on its own or with dessert.

• Score : 90/100
• Price: €44.50 (72 cl)

Itano Shuzojo - Torotoro - Junmai Nigori

Head for the barbecue with this nose of grilled mushroom, potatoes larded with smoked paprika, dried hay and smoked fish. Intense. The palate is surprisingly pastry-like and fruity, but still imbued with that smoky note that never lets go. The texture leaves no one indifferent, and can be disconcertingly grainy, thanks to the addition of amazake. The finish is lactic, fermentative and smoky.

• Score : 92/100
• Price: €39.90 (90 cl)

Tajime Shuzo - Chikusen oranji - Junmai Ginjo

A lovely traditional sake with smoky notes of buckwheat, salted soy and roasted cereals. The palate is powerful, surfing on citrus, heather and Sichuan pepper. It's warm, it takes up space, it coats the palate while leaving a salivating vegetal bitterness on the finish. A racy sake that will please the most purist among you.

• Score : 93/100
• Price: €43 (72 cl)