World S Largest Sake Competition, International Wine Challenge Sake Announces Results

News announced 20/05/2016

World’s largest Sake competition, International Wine Challenge Sake announces results as Sake popularity soars

Unique competition with international panel of judges announces results at prestigious event in Kobe, Japan

The world’s biggest Sake competition, International Wine Challenge Sake 2016, announces its results today, following three days of intensive blind tasting by a panel of 57 international judges from 14 countries. The announcement will take place at a prestigious awards ceremony at the Ikuta Shrine in Kobe City where over 220 esteemed guests will unite to celebrate the success of the competition and to thank the host region, Hyogo, for its boundless hospitality.

In partnership with Sake Samurai, the International Wine Challenge Sake awarded 59 Gold medals to Sake from 50 breweries across Japan during the course of the competition in which a total of 1282 Sake were tasted. A further 196 Sake were awarded Silver medals, and 245 entries picked up Bronze medals.

President Takeshi Sekiya of Sake Samurai commented:

“This competition is completely unique bringing together such an international panel of judges, with half being Japanese and half being from overseas. With only 4.6% of Sake entered receiving a Gold medal, it is clear this is a highly competitive event and the winners should be immensely proud of their achievement.”

Categories and trophies

Junmai Daiginjo topped the category medal chart, with 16 Sake of that style being awarded Gold. Next in line was Junmai Sake which secured 12 Gold medals. Daiginjo Sake received seven Gold medals, as did Koshu, the aged Sake category. Six Gold medals were awarded to Junmai Ginjo style Sake, and four Honjozo Sake took home Gold medals. A trio of Gold medals was awarded to Futsu-shu Sake, while Ginjo and Sparkling Sake each received two Gold medals.

From the 50 Gold medal winners, the IWC Sake co-chairmen and panel chairs awarded Trophies to 37 Sake including prizes for sub-region, before naming the best in class in each of the nine Sake categories.

Yamagata brewery, Dewazakura, had an outstanding year receiving two IWC Sake Trophies. Its Dewazakura Dewanosato was deemed the best Junmai of the competition, and it was also awarded the Ginjo Trophy for its Dewazakura Oka Ginjo. The Junmai Daiginjo Trophy went to Amanoto Junmai Daiginjo 35 by Asamai Shuzo while Hachinohe Shuzo received the Daiginjo Trophy for its Mutsu-Hassen Daiginjo. Miyashita secured the Koshu Trophy for its Koshu Eikyu no kagayaki and Aoki Shuzo picked up the Junmai Ginjo Trophy for its Gokeiji Junmai Ginjo. The judges decided Nanbu Bijin’s Honjozo Nanbubijin was the finest Honjozo entry, and the Futsu-shu Trophy was awarded to Watanabe Shuzouten for its Hourai Tensaitouji. The IWC Sparkling Sake Trophy went to Tosa Brewing Company for its Sparkling Sake “John”.

As part of the proceedings, the IWC Sake also announced its Great Value shortlist for the year proving you can get excellent Sake whatever your budget. To qualify, entries must receive a Gold or Silver medal and be available nationwide for less than ¥1,000 Yen (approximately £6.20) for 720ml. The winners in this category were Gold medalist Komachizakura by Watanabe, and Silver medal winners Shichiken Hurin Bizen by Yamanashi Meijo and Yonetsuru Junsei by Yonetsuru.

The ultimate Great Value Award, as well as the Champion Sake 2016 chosen from the nine category Trophy winners for the year will be announced at the annual IWC Awards Dinner on 7th July in London.

Heroes of Hyogo

In a blaze of glory, host prefecture Hyogo produced four Gold medal winners, two of which secured Trophies too. Kobe-shu-shin-kan Breweries took home a pair of Gold medals for its Fukyuju Honjozo “Winter’s Tale” and its Ichi Kimoto Junmai, which was also awarded the Junmai Hyogo Trophy. Sawanotsuru received a Gold medal for its Sawanoutsuru 1973 nen Jozo Koshu which also received the Trophy for best Koshu from Hyogo. Further recognition went to Takara Shuzo Shuirakabegura for its Sho Chiku Bai Shirakabegura Mio Sparkling Sake.

Ending on a high

Today’s awards luncheon hosted at the Ikura Shrine in Kobe will see representatives from Hyogo Prefecture, Sake Samurai, and the International Wine Challenge unite with past and present winners to celebrate the continued success of Sake. Esteemed guests include Governor of Hyogo, the Honorable Toshido Ido, Mayor Kizo Hisamoto of Kobe and Mr Andrew Reed, MD of International Wine Challenge.

Guests will be invited to taste this year’s Gold medal winners, as well as being given the opportunity to sample Champion Sake from the previous nine IWC Sake competitions. Of those past Champions, the IWC also named its Brewery of the Decade, awarding this prestigious accolade to Dewazakura in recognition its ongoing success. The award was collected by brewery president Masumi Nakano.

Andrew Reed, MD of the International Wine Challenge commented:

“The IWC is the most influential wine competition in the world and now we can unequivocally say that we are also the largest Sake competition in the world on the planet. It has been a privilege to have been working in partnership with the Sake Samurai Association for the past decade to boost international awareness and export, as well as increasing the popularity of Sake within Japan. The hospitality and kindness of our host Hyogo has been immeasurable during the course of the competition, and it has been an absolute pleasure to bring the IWC Sake competition to Japan.”

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What is the International Wine Challenge?

In its 33rd year, the International Wine Challenge is accepted as the world’s finest and most meticulously judged competition. The IWC assesses every wine ‘blind’ and judges each for its faithfulness to style, region and vintage. Each medal winning wine is tasted on at least three separate occasions by a minimum of 10 different judges including Masters of Wine. Awards include medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze) and Commended awards. The IWC is committed to helping consumers discover great wine, and the medals displayed on winning bottles offer a trusted guarantee of quality.

What is the IWC Sake competition?

The IWC Sake competition was introduced in 2007, and has grown exponentially with hundreds of Sake being entered from Japan, Canada, Norway and the USA last year. The IWC employed a vast number of international Sake experts to judge the competition each year. Sake competition adheres to the same strict processes as the International Wine Challenge which combined with the experience of the panel undoubtedly make the IWC Sake competition the most credible of its kind.

For more information please contact:
Manifest London / IWC
Helen Kenny & Elly Barham Marsh
t. 0203 1379270
m. 07712 877 972
on / Chris Ashton
t. 07884 063405
e.

International Wine Challenge Sake Gold medal winners 2016

·  Aiyu Daiginjo by Aiyu Shuzo (Aomori)

·  Aizu Homare Junmai Daiginjo by Homare Sake Brewery (Fukishima)

·  Amanoto Junmai Daiginjo 35 by Asamai Shuzo (Atika)

·  Benten Tokubetsu Junmaishu Tsuyahime by Goto Shuzoten (Yamagata)

·  Born Ginsen by Katoukichebee Shouten (Fukui)

·  Born Wing of Japan by Katoukichebee Shouten (Fukui)

·  Daishinsyu Shisuiryusen by Daishinsyu Breweries. (Nagano)

·  Dewazakura Aiyama by Dewazakura Sake Brewery (Yamagata)

·  Dewazakura Dewanosato by Dewazakura Sake Brewery (Yamagata)

·  Dewazakura Oka Ginjo by Dewazakura Sake Brewery (Yamagata)

·  Fukuju Honjozo "Winter's Tale" by Kobe-shu-shin-kan Breweries (Hyogo)

·  Ginjo Kogenshu by Aioi Unibio (Aichi)

·  Gokeiji Junmai Ginjo by Aoki Shuzo (Ibaraki)

·  Hanahato Kijoshu aged for 8 years 2007 Enoki Shuzo (Hiroshima)

·  Haneya Junmai Daiginjo 50 Tsubasa by Fumigiku Sake Brewery (Toyama)

·  Hizen Touji Daiginjo by Yamato Shuzo (Saga)

·  Honjozo Nanbubijin by Nanbu Bikin (Iwate)

·  Honshu-ichi Muroka Junmai Ginjo by Umeda Shuzojo & Co. (Hiroshima)

·  Hourai Tensaitouji no Nyukonshu by Watanabe Shuzouten (Gifu)

·  Ichi Kimoto Junmai by Kobe-shu-shin-kan Breweries (Hyogo)

·  Ishizuchi Murokana Junmai by Ishizuchi Shuzo (Ehime)

·  Junmai Daiginjo Joppari Hanaomoi by Rokka Shuzo (Aomori)

·  Junmai Daiginjo Shizukusake "Kin No Jo" by Okunomatsy Sake Brewery (Fukushima)

·  Kai no Kaiun Hokuroku by Ide Jozoten (Yamanashi)

·  Kamikokoro Hihou Honjozo by Kamikokoro Shuzo (Okayama)

·  Katsuyama Junmai Ginjo Ken by Katsuyama Kigyo (Miyagi)

·  Keiryu Daikosyu 1986 by Endo Brewery (Nagano)

·  Keiyru Junmai Ginjo by Endo Brewery (Nagano)

·  Kinoene Kyukoby 1997 by Iinumahonke (Chiba)

·  Kinryo Junmai-shu Yamahai-shjikomi by Nishinokinryo (Kagawa)

·  Kinsuzume 40% by Horie Brewing (Yamaguchi)

·  Kiwamihijiri Tokubetsu Junmai Yamadanishiki by Miyashita Sake Brewery (Okayama)

·  Komachizakura by Watanabe Shuzouten (Gifu)

·  Komekara Sodateta Junmai shu by Tenju Shuzo (Atika)

·  Koshino Homare Junmai Daiginjo by Harashuzou (Niigata)

·  Koshu Eikyu no kagayaki 1993 by Miyashita Sake Brewery (Okayama)

·  Koyoiwa kandane Hananomai by Hananomai Brewery (Shiuoka)

·  Kurouzaemon Omachi by Shindo Sake Brewery (Yamagata)

·  Kyo-hina Junmai-Gginjo Uchikoza by Sakaroku Sake Brewing (Ehime)

·  Miinokotobuki Yamahai Junmai Koshu 1999 by Inoue Goumei (Fukoka)

·  Mizubasho Junmai Daiginjo by Nagai Sake (Gunma)

·  Mizubasho Junmai Daiginjo Sui by Nagai Sake (Gunma)

·  Momokawa Tokubetsu Honjozo Momokawa Brewing (Aomori)

·  Mutsu-Hassen Daiginjo by Hachinohe Shuzo (Aomori)

·  Mutsu-Hassen Pink-label by Hachinohe Shuzo (Aomori)

·  Ozeno Yukidoke Junmai Daiginjo by Ryujin Shuzo (Gunma)

·  Sanzen Daiginjo by Kikuchi Shuzo (Okayama)

·  Sawanotsuru 1973 nen Jozo Koshu Sawanotsuru (Hyogo)

·  Shiragiku Kinsyo Jushoshu Daiginjo by Shiragiky Shuzo (Ibaraki)

·  Sho Chiku Bai Shirakabegura Mio Sparkling Sake by Takara Shuzo Shirakabegura (Hyogo)

·  Sparkling Sake ”John" by Tosa Brewing Company (Kochi)

·  Taiheizan Junmai Daiginjo Yushin by Kadama Brewing (Akita)

·  Taikan Omachi Junma Ginjo by Morishima Shuzo (Ibaraki)

·  Tateyama Unfiltered Daiginjo Aiyama Genshu by Tateyama Brewing (Toyama)

·  Tokubetsu Junmai-shu Dainagawa by Bizen Shuzo (Atika)

·  Umenishiki Shuuitsu by Umenishiki Yamakawa (Ehime)

·  Yamatoshizuku Yamahai Junmai by Akitaseishu (Atika)

·  Yamatoya Zennai Junmai Namadume by Minenoyukishyzojyo (Fukushima)

·  Yonetsuru Kakuho Yamahai Junmai Daiginjo by Yonetsuru Sake Brewery (Yamagata)

International Wine Challenge Sake 2016 Category Trophy Winners

·  Daiginjo Trophy - Mutsu-Hassen Daiginjo by Hachinohe Shuzo (Aomori)

·  Futsu-shu Trophy - Hourai Tensaitouji no Nyukonshu by Watanabe Shuzouten (Gifu)

·  Ginjuo Trophy - Dewazakura Oka Ginjo by Dewazakura Sake Brewery (Yamagata)

·  Honjozo Trophy - Honjozo Nanbubijin by Nanbu Bijin (Iwate)

·  Junmai Daiginjo Trophy - Amanoto Junmai Daiginjo 35 by Asamai Shuzo (Atika)

·  Junmai Ginjo Trophy - Gokeiji Junmai Ginjo by Aoki Shuzo (Ibaraki)

·  Junmai Trophy - Dewazakura Dewanosato by Dewazakura Sake Brewery (Yamagata)

·  Koshu Trophy - Koshu Eikyu no kagayaki by Miyashita Sake Brewery (Okayama)

·  Sparkling Trophy - Sparkling Sake ”John" by Tosa Brewing Company Limited (Kochi)

International Wine Challenge Sake Sub Region Trophy Winners

·  Daiginjo Ibaraki Trophy - Shiragiku Kinsyo Jushoshu Daiginjo by Shiragiku Shuzo (Ibaraki)

·  Daiginjo Itako Trophy - Aiyu Daiginjo by Aiyu Shuzo (Ibaraki)

·  Daiginjo Okayama Trophy - Sanzen Daiginjo by Kikuchi Shuzo (Okayama)

·  Futsu-shu Gifu Trophy – Komachizakura by Watanabe Shuzouten (Gifu)

·  Honjozo Aomori Trophy - Momokawa Tokubetsu Honjozo by Momokawa Brewing (Aomori)

·  Honjozo Okayama Trophy - Kamikokoro Hihou Honjozo by Kamikokoro Shuzo Co Ltd (Okayama)

·  Junmai Daiginjo Aomori Trophy - Junmai Daiginjo Joppari Hanaomoi by Rokka Shuzo (Aomori)

·  Junmai Daiginjo Katagami Trophy - Taiheizan Junmai Daiginjo Yushin by Kodama (Akita)

·  Junmai Daiginjo Nagano Trophy – Daishinsyu Shisuiryusen by Daishinsyu (Nagano)

·  Junmai Daiginjo Niigata Trophy - Koshino Homare Junmai Daiginjo by Harashuzou (Niigata)

·  Junmai Daiginjo Gunma Trophy - Ozeno Yukidoke Junmai Daiginjo by Ryujin Shuzo (Gunma)

·  Junmai Daiginjo Tone Trophy - Mizubasho Junmai Daiginjo by Nagai Sake (Gunma)

·  Junmai Daiginjo Yamaguchi Trophy - Kinsuzume 40% by Horie Brewing (Yamaguchi)

·  Junmai Daiginjo Yamagata Trophy - Dewazakura Aiyama by Dewazakura Sake Brewery (Yamagata)

·  Junmai Daiginjo Higashiokitama Trophy - Yonetsuru Kakuho Yamahai Junmai Daiginjo by Yonetsuru (Yamagata)

·  Junmai Daiginjo Fukui Trophy - Born Wing of Japan by Katoukichebee Shouten (Fukui)

·  Junmai Ginjo Ibaraki Trophy - Taikan Omachi Junmai Ginjo by Morishima Shuzo (Ibaraki)

·  Junmai Shizuoka Trophy - Koyoiwa kandane Hananomai by Hananomai Brewery (Shizuoka)

·  Junmai Okayama Trophy - Kiwamihijiri Tokubetsu Junmai Yamadanishiki by Miyashita (Okayama)

·  Junmai Hyogo Trophy - Ichi Kimoto Junmai by Kobe-shu-shin-kan Breweries (Hyogo)

·  Junmai Yamagata Trophy - Benten Tokubetsu Junmaishu Tsuyahime by Goto Shuzoten (Yamagata)

·  Junmai Akita Trophy - Komekara Sodateta Junmai shu by Tenju Shuzo (Akita)

·  Junmai Ehime Trophy - Ishizuchi Murokana Junmai by Ishizuchi Shuzo (Ehime)

·  Yamahai Trophy - Yamatoshizuku Yamahai Junmai by Akitaseishu (Akita)

·  Koshu Chiba Trophy - Kinoene Kyuko 1997 by IINUMAHONKE (Chiba)

·  Koshu Hyogo Trophy - Sawanotsuru 1973 nen Jozo Koshu by Sawanotsuru (Hyogo)

·  Koshu Hiroshima Trophy - Hanahato Kijoshu aged for 8 years by Enoki Shuzo (Hiroshima)

·  Koshu Fukuoka Trophy - Miinokotobuki Yamahai Junmai Koshu by Inoue Goumei (Fukuoka)

International Wine Challenge Sake 2016 Great Value Awards Shortlist

(To qualify Sake must be awarded Gold or Silver medal, be nationally available and cost less than ¥1,000 Yen for 720ml)

·  Komachizakura by Watanabe

·  Shichiken Hurin Bizen by Yamanashi Meijo

·  Yonetsuru Junsei by Yonetsuru

All International Wine Challenge news can be found at our Digital Newsroom