Hakutsuru Shuzo (Higashinada-ku, Kobe City) began brewing authentic plum wine* using Kishu plums on May 25.
The finished plum wine will be sold at supermarkets, retail stores, and liquor stores nationwide, and will also be available at Hakutsuru’s official online store.
*An authentic plum wine is a voluntary standard established by the Japan Western Sake Brewers Association (Tokyo), and is made using only plums, sugar, and alcohol. If acidifiers, coloring agents or flavoring agents are used, it cannot be labeled as authentic plum wine.
Umeshu Brewing Process
The company has been making ume-shu in the traditional way for more than 45 years at its head office and second brewery in Higashinada Ward, and this year, the rare Gojiroume plum, also known as “blue diamonds,” is brewed on May 25, and the aromatic, fully ripe Nanko-ume plum is brewed over a 10-day period starting in June. The brewery brews the rare Gojiroume plum, also known as “blue diamonds,” for about 10 days from June.
After two to three months of soaking, this year’s plum wine will be matured for about six months, and will be shipped as a series of products from next spring onward.
(Clockwise from top left) “Hakutsuru Umeshu Genshu” 541-2,485 yen, “Hakutsuru Umeshu” 536-1,418 yen, “Hakutsuru Sukkiri Umeshu” 362 yen, “Hakutsuru Umeshu Genshu 3-year Storage” 2,160 yen (each tax excluded)
Hakutsuru Shuzo sells a total of four types of authentic plum wine. All of them are made from 100% Kishu-grown ume fruit, and are said to offer a mellow aroma and rich flavor. <
When I hear the news that ume-shu preparation has started, I feel that “ah, summer has begun. Umeshu” is easy to drink with its refreshing taste, and I personally think it is one of the first alcoholic beverages to become a favorite of 20-year-olds making their alcoholic beverage debut (laugh). I hope those who are turning 20 this year will also enjoy the delicious taste of plum wine♪
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