Shimeharitsuru is the signature brand of Miyao Shuzo, a historic brewery established in 1819 in Niigata Prefecture. Since its founding, the brewery has been dedicated to making the best Japanese sake. Being intensely particular about the quality of rice and water, Miyao Shuzo combines tradition with innovative technology and specializes in tanrei umakuchi, a rich yet light sake. Their sake has won the first place at the National New Sake Appraising and Deliberating Fair in spring and fall consecutively for the first time in history while also being awarded top prizes in various awards. Shimeharitsuru Junmaijinjou Jun, a Gold Award winner at the Omotenashi Selection, is known as the oldest Junmai sake produced in Japan.
This umeshu (plum wine) is brewed using only white plums from Gunma Prefecture and sugar without adding any chemicals, with Shimeharitsuru sake as the main ingredient. The time of soaking the plums was adjusted with extreme care as the plums will become astringent when soaked for too long. The resulting umeshu (alcohol content 12%) has a natural aroma and sour plum flavor, which is perfect to enjoy on the rocks. Also, 3 parts plum wine to 1 part Shimeharitsuru sake would make a great cocktail with a good aroma, sweetness and sharpness balance. You can also use it as a flavor agent in cooking like Madeira wine. The label was designed by Mr. Mizumaru Anzai, known for his illustrations in the books of Nobel Prize nominee Haruki Murakami, who fell in love with the flavors of the product.