Tozai Snow Maiden Junmai Nigori

Need an introduction to nigori sake? Grab yourself a bottle of Tozai Snow Maiden. This junmai nigori, hailing from Kyoto Prefecture, is one of Japan's most iconic nigori sakes. Its graceful name pays tribute to Hanako (Flower Maiden), a legendary koi who lived in the cool icy waters underfoot at Mount Ontake for 226 years.

Tozai Snow Maiden Junmai Nigori opens to vibrant melon-like aromas. You may even catch hints of nuts and bananas in the nose. Upon first sip, this nigori unleashes a flurry of honeydew flavors along with savory notes of pumpkin & rice and even earthier tones like radish.

What stands out most though is the texture. Tozai Snow Maiden lives up to its name with its creamy snow-like texture and full body. Its also surprisingly dry for a nigori. Unlike most nigori-zake, Tozai Snow Maiden strikes a perfect balance; it's neither too acidic nor too sweet.

Tozai Snow Maiden pairs well with spicy dishes and seafood. Try it with spicy salmon sushi rolls or Japanese curry.

  • Producer: Kizakura Brewery
  • Prefecture: Kyoto
  • Category: Junmai Nigori
  • Rice Polishing (Seimaibuai): 70%
  • Rice: Gohyakumangoku, Gin-Ohmi
  • ABV: 14.9%
  • Sake Meter Value (SMV): +6.5
  • Acidity: 1.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tozai Snow Maiden sweet?

Tozai Snow Maiden is sweet but not as sweet as many other nigori sakes. It has a sake meter value (SMV) of 6.5+. The lower the SMV, the sweeter the sake. To compare to another popular nigori, Rihaku Dreamy Cloudy has an SMV of +3.

How do you serve Tozai Snow Maiden?

Tozai Snow Maiden is best served chilled between 40ºF to 60ºF to bring out all its flavors. Like other nigori sake, be sure to shake before serving.

What does Tozai Snow Maiden taste like?

Tozai Snow Maiden exhibits a wide array of tastes in its palate. Flavors include honeydew melon, raw pumpkin, rice, and radish.