The reason that the Prefecture of Niigata produces the finest sake in the world can be summed up in one word-snow.
It is about the snow.
There are areas in the mountains of Niigata that receive over 30 feet of snowfall a year. This precipitous climate impacts the quality of the sake in three distinct ways.
Premium sake from Japan has been steadily gaining its popularity among American consumers. The import value increased at an annual rate of 13-21% for the last several years.
Niigata Sake Selections was set up in 2004 to bring the concept of regionality for sake for the first time into the US by importing premium sake only from “Niigata” [nee- gut-ah] prefecture, which is renowned in Japan as the best area for growing rice and fermenting sake.
Kuramoto, kura and sakagura, all meaning sake producer, can be used interchangeably.Each word has other meanings, such as Kuramoto - the owner of a sake producer, Kura, warehouse, Sakagura - sake cellar. (Photo: 1890's)
Niigata Sake Selections represents the eleven producers in the US as of May 2008. The word “Shuzo” (or rarely Shuzojo), meaning sake producer, is used as part of producer name. Not used independently.
Niigata Prefecture is renowned in Japan as the best area for growing rice and fermenting sake due to its deep snow and abundance of soft clear pure water.
