First GI 2-step designation in Japan! Japanese Sake "GI Shinano Omachi 15 Certified Sake to be Unveiled on February 14; Highest French Sommelier Raves about them! Tasting pairing of 6 sake including certified GI Nagano (sake)

Nagano Prefecture's "GI Shinano Omachi," a geographical indication for alcoholic beverages designated by the Commissioner of the National Tax Agency on June 30, 2023, held the "GI Shinano Omachi Certified Sake Unveiling Ceremony: Joint Tasting & Pairing Experience with GI Nagano (Sake)" on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at a Tokyo hotel (hosted by the Kanto Shinetsu Regional Taxation Bureau Kanto Shinetsu Regional Taxation Bureau). The venue was filled to capacity with over 100 media and sake retailers, and the talk session by the brewers and pairing by a top French sommelier attracted a great deal of attention.

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Miki Murai, Shinano-Omachi Tourism Ambassador, actor, and TV personality, also took the stage (left in the center) for the Kagamibiraki ceremony. She commented, "I am also a great lover of sake, and I am very much looking forward to meeting new sake lovers at this ceremony.

The ceremony opened with a speech by Mr. Hidemi Kimura, Director General of the Kanto Shinetsu Regional Taxation Bureau (pictured above: third from the left in the left barrel). Following the opening speech by Mr. Tomosuke Usui, Chairman of GI Shinano Omachi Management Council (Usui Shoten Co., Ltd., second from the left of the left barrel), the ceremony was attended by Mr. Toru Ushikoshi, Mayor of Omachi City (fourth from the left of the left barrel), Mr. Hiroyuki Takizawa, Deputy Director of Nagano Prefecture Department of Industry and Labor (third from the right of the right barrel), Mr. Naotaka Miyasaka, Chairman of Nagano Prefecture Brewers Association (Miyasaka Brewing Co., Ltd., second from the left of the right barrel). (second from the left of the right keg), the chairman of the Nagano Prefectural Sake Brewers Association, delivered a speech as the guest of honor.

Afterwards, Mr. Ken Takehisa, President of Salmon Edge Corporation, took the podium as a special lecturer, explaining the details of GI Shinano-Omachi, the first GI in Japan to be designated in two stages. Next, another special lecturer, Mr. Xavier Chouisa (M.O.F., France, Chef Sommelier of "Hôtel de Crillon"), spoke at length about the appeal and potential of GI Shinano-Omachi and GI Nagano's sake.

The three breweries of the "GI Shinano-Omachi Council" (Ichinoya, Usui Shoten, and Kitayasu Brewery) spoke about the passion and dedication of their breweries, and local sake rice farmer Toru Hiraide, who also took the stage, talked about his precious deep water cultivation.

URL: https://www.atpress.ne.jp/releases/385909/img_385909_2.jpg

Sake brewery talk session. From left: Keihiro Nakatsu, Executive Officer, Ichinoya Corporation; Tomosuke Usui, President, Usui Shoten Corporation; Keiichiro Ito, President, Kitayasu Jozo Corporation; special appearance by Toru Hiraide, a sake rice farmer.

A total of 22 types of sake were available for tasting at the event, including 11 types of sake certified as GI Shinano-Omachi and 11 types of sake certified as GI Nagano. Three of the GI Shinano-Omachi and three of the GI Nagano were enjoyed with food based on Xavier's pairing suggestions. The participants tasted the sake with all their senses and discovered new possibilities for Nagano's sake as Xavier introduced his tasting comments.

【What are the three "firsts" of GI Shinano-Omachi in Japan?】 

（1）the new designation of "GI Shinano Omachi" within the area designated as "GI Nagano (Sake)" in 2021 is a "2-step designation" for the region. Sake that is not already certified as "GI Nagano (Sake)" is not eligible for certification as "GI Shinano Omachi". 2.

(2) Not only are the production areas (Omachi City and Matsukawa Village, Nagano Prefecture) and the target rice varieties specified, but also the individual fields.

(3) The production process is limited to "koshiki," and the process after "heaping" is limited to lots of 100 kg or less of koji.

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Mr. Xavier Chouisa (M.O.F. of France, Best Sommelier of France 2022, President of the "Kura Master" jury, Sake Samurai, Chef Sommelier of the 5-star Hôtel de Crillon hotel in Paris)

●What I think about the existence of GI Shinano Omachi:

Nagano has always been a pioneer in the history of sake, working hard and innovating in pursuit of quality. And the fact that GI Shinano Omachi exists within GI Nagano is proof that the sake reflects the place and the land more than anything else. It is proof that because of the strict restrictions, the sake has a heart of its own. I sense a strong spirit of reflecting the terroir in the sake.

●What are the characteristics of GI Shinano-Omachi's sake?

About the characteristics of GI Shinano Omachi's sake: "I was quite surprised at how pure, delicate, and beautifully aromatic most of the sake is, with a strong personality. It also has a vegetable aroma like daikon radish, a sensation that goes straight to the nose, and a sense of delicacy. The delicacy of the aroma also means that there is elegance. I also sensed this refinement on the palate. Some of the flavors were very fresh and crystal clear. There was also a sharpness and a fresh aftertaste. I thought GI Shinano-Omachi sake could be compared to "Etoile," the highest ranking ballet dancers at the opera house. What I liked most about GI Shinano-Omachi sake was its 'haute couture' elegance, the subtlety and finesse of its details.

●About pairing GI Shinano-Omachi sake:

The name of the water in Shinano-Omachi, 'Onna-mizu' (feminine water), has something in common with the delicacy of the ballet dancers in "Etoile". This feminine aspect of sake can create a lot of emotions in various aspects of gastronomy. Although pairings can be considered with vegetables in general, I would like to focus here on a vegetable called artichoke. Artichokes are a very complex ingredient in France, and one of the most difficult to suggest pairings for, but I think their vegetable-like aroma and firm texture go very well with GI Shinano-Omachi's sake.

I think it would also go well with lobster, ancient French tomatoes and "couleurs de boeuf", "matou-dai" dishes, chevre cheese, and oysters. For me, to feel in GI Shinano Omachi the same purity and delicacy that characterize the finest Champagnes and white wines, try tasting it with world-class wines such as Blanc de Blancs Champagne and Grand Sauvignon white wines side by side. It's a wonderful experience."

15 Certified GI Shinano Omachi Sake Details: http://greencreate.boo.jp/PR/listofgishinanooomachi.pdf

22 tastings including certified GI Nagano sake and tasting comments by Xavier: http://greencreate.boo.jp/PR/pairing.pdf

Flyer introducing Shinano-Omachi, the city of water and the three breweries: http://greencreate.boo.jp/PR/GI_oomachi_KURA.pdf

15 certified GI Shinano-Omachi varieties and Miss SAKE: https://www.atpress.ne.jp/releases/385909/img_385909_4.jpg

From left: Ichinoya, Usui Shoten, Kitayasu Brewery: https://www.atpress.ne.jp/releases/385909/img_385909_5.jpg

Kagami-opening ceremony of GI Shinano-Omachi's sake barrels: https://www.atpress.ne.jp/releases/385909/img_385909_6.jpg

Paired dishes (Roasted cauliflower and chrysanthemum fritters, grilled veal loin with girolle mushrooms, sautéed li de veau with chrysanthemum cream sauce): https://www.atpress.ne.jp/releases/385909/img_385909_7.jpg

Certified wine decanted as recommended by Mr. Xavier is also available: https://www.atpress.ne.jp/releases/385909/img_385909_8.jpg

Participants enjoying the pairing of 6 kinds of sake: https://www.atpress.ne.jp/releases/385909/img_385909_9.jpg

Omachi-shi's local character, Ohmapyon, also made an appearance and enlivened the event : https://www.atpress.ne.jp/releases/385909/img_385909_10.jpg

Shinano Omachi Tourism Ambassador, actor and TV personality Miki Murai also took the stage.: https://www.atpress.ne.jp/releases/385909/img_385909_11.jpg

15 kinds of GI Shinano Omachi's certified sake: https://www.atpress.ne.jp/releases/385909/img_385909_12.jpg

GI Shinano Omachi's link to the National Tax Agency:

https://www.nta.go.jp/taxes/sake/hyoji/chiri/230630_nagano_besshi01.htm

GI Shinano Omachi YouTube channel (The ceremony can be viewed until around April 2024):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWTo09C_-2c&t=46s

Ichinoya's official website: https://ichinoya.com/

Usui Shoten's official website: https://hakubanishiki.co.jp/

Kitayasu Brewery's official website: https://hokuan.co.jp/