All About Sake, Fermented Rice Wine

Updated July 2, 2017

Sake is a fermented rice wine that may be unpasteurized (“namazake”) or filtered (“nigori”).

Junmai

Junmai is the purest form of sake because it doesn’t contain any added starches or additives. It is usually served hot and is an acidic, pungent sake. 

Honjozo

Honjozo is like a flavored Junmai with added grain alcohol. It is also usually served hot.

Ginjo

Ginjo is like lager, it's fermented at lower temperatures than other sakes. It is typically served cold.

Daiginjo

Daiginjo is considered to be a premium sake and comes in a variety of flavorful compositions. It is usually served cold.