Sake101 – Sake Labels
How to read sake labels ?
A label on a sake bottle contains important information for the buyer, some legally required while others are optional. Following are the legally required items on sake labels in Japan.
Name of Sake is usually displayed in the centrerof the front label. Often written in Kanji, graphics or calligraphic writing.
“Seishu (清酒)”, meaning “clear alcoholic beverage” or “nihonshu (日本酒)” meaning “Japanese alcoholic beverage” states that this bottle contains Japanese sake.
精米歩合“seimaibuai” in Japanese , where 精: pure; 米: rice; 歩合: ratio
Rice polishing ratio is a description of the percentage of grain that remains after a part of the rice has been polished away.
The alcohol content is the percentage of alcohol by volume. The alcohol content in sake is usually slightly higher than wine, around 15%.
Rice (米) and rice Koji(米麹). Distilled alcohol( jozo-alcohol 醸造アルコール) is added for non-Junmai type.
The date of production indicates when the sake was bottled, regardless of the brew date.
The net content shows how much sake is in the bottle by volume, common sizes includes 720ml, 1800ml , 300ml or even 180ml
No Distilled alcohol added (Junmai type) | Distilled alcohol added (non- Junmai type) |
Junmai(純米) | Honjozo(本醸造) |
Junmai Ginjo(純米吟醸) | Ginjo(吟醸) |
Junmai Daiginjo(純米大吟醸) | Daiginjo(大吟醸) |
The type of Premium Sake must be written on the Sake label. If not written, that Sake is Futsu-shu (普通酒) (“normal sake,” or “table sake.”).
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