Country of Origin: Japan
Location: Osaka Prefecture
People: Vine Connections & Mukune (Daimon Shuzo Brewery) | Vine Connections & Kizakura Brewery
Tozai, literally translated "East-West" from the Japanese, is truly the result of the collaborative passions, skills and experiences of dedicated people from both Eastern and Western backgrounds, and a few who have bridged the two. In March 2004 during a trip to Japan, Vine Connections partners Ed Lehrman and Nick Ramkowsky met with several individuals who all converged on a similar new idea: create a brand of super-premium, artisan sake that is delicious to drink, beautifully packaged and labeled with original art work, widely distributed in the U.S., and all at a reasonable price to sake lovers an novices alike. After a year of diligent and creative work on both sides of the Pacific, Tozai became a reality with the first two releases: "Well of Wisdom" and "Voices in the Mist."
Daimon Shuzo Brewery was founded in 1826 and is located at the foot of the scenic Ikoma mountain range in Katano City (near Osaka). Katano occupies a well-known spot in Japanese history. During the Heian era (over 1000 years ago), the aristocracy of Western Japan flocked to Katano to enjoy the very beautiful scenery that abounded there including lovely cherry blossoms in the spring and the verdant surrounding mountains. Sake production began during the Edo period, but of the many sake-producing firms originally present, only Daimon Shuzo and one other remain. The current director, Yasutaka Daimon, is the sixth-generation director of Daimon Shuzo. He notes that in Japan there has been a recent trend away from sake and toward other beverages like wine. "We take a great pride in our traditional product and I feel that the distinctive taste and manner of drinking sake is inherently tied to the Japanese culture and spirit. I promise to endeavor to continue to produce our high-quality sake with the hope that future generations of all people can enjoy and savor this fine and relaxing style of drinking sake." Daimon's toji is Yokomichi Toshiaki. Yokomichi joined Daimon Brewery in 1998, bringing with him 12 years of brewing experience. Working closely with Yokomichi is Master Brewer, UK-born Philip Harper. Harper's title at Sakahan is Brewmaster and Production Manager.
Two years later, Tozai had become a real success story in the U.S., but the story was not yet finished. Ed & Nick always wanted to spread the gospel of premium Japanese sake to as many people as possible, and while the first two Tozai sake were a good start, they were also produced at a price highter than many sake lovers are willing to spend on the first try. So they went in search of a new brewer who had the cost benefits of scale of a larger brewer, but who also had focus and passion for great tasting Junmai sake. They found it a Kizakura Brewery in Kyoto prefecture, and Tozai "Living Jewel" and "Snow Maiden" were born.
Kizakura Brewery is a youngster in their stable of premium sake producers. They are bound less by tradition than a quest for making incredible sake, whether for every day drinking or for high-end, special occasion sake. They built the brewery in Fushimi in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture with their eye on two things: First, Kyoto's especially frigid winters, called "So-ko-bi-e," are ideal for creating stable, cold temperatures inside the brewery that help keep fermentation temperatures down and extend fermentation time so that delicate flavors and aromas remain in the sake. Second, the local "Fushi-Mizu" or crystal clear, underground "Fushimi Water" is known for creating sake that brings out the full flavor of the sake.
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| Current Items from Tozai |
| Cat # |
|
Pack-Size |
Net |
Reviews |
| 3391 |
Tozai (1.8 L) 'Typhoon' Aru Ten |
6-1.8 L |
$132 |
|
| 1859 |
Tozai (300 ml) 'Living Jewel' Junmai |
12-300 |
$99 |
BTI 89 IWC 85 |
| 1861 |
Tozai (300 ml) 'Snow Maiden' Junmai Nigori |
12-300 |
$99 |
BTI 91 IWC 88 |
| 3077 |
Tozai (300 ml) 'Voices in the Mist' Ginjo Nigori |
12-300 |
$108 |
|
| 3076 |
Tozai (300 ml) 'Well of Wisdom' Ginjo |
12-300 |
$108 |
BTI 89 WS Very Good |
| 3390 |
Tozai (720 ml) 'Blossoms of Peace' Plum Sake |
6-720 |
$80 |
BTI 88 |
| 1858 |
Tozai (720 ml) 'Living Jewel' Junmai |
6-720 |
$99 |
BTI 89 IWC 85 |
| 1860 |
Tozai (720 ml) 'Snow Maiden' Junmai Nigori |
6-720 |
$99 |
BTI 91 IWC 88 |
| 7273 |
Tozai (720 ml) 'Typhoon' Aru Ten |
6-720 |
$66 |
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| 468 |
Tozai (720 ml) 'Voices in the Mist' Ginjo Nigori |
6-720 |
$110 |
BTI 89 BTI 86 |
| 469 |
Tozai (720 ml) 'Well of Wisdom' Ginjo |
6-720 |
$110 |
BTI 89 WS Very Good |
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