Homare Strawberry Nigori

Homare Strawberry Nigori is a strawberry-flavored nigori sake made in Massachusetts. Nigori means the sake is coarsely filtered, so fine rice particles stay in the bottle and give it a cloudy, milky look. That sediment also makes the sake fuller and softer on the palate than a clear, filtered one. Expect a creamy, medium-to-full body with gentle sweetness, and a strawberry character that sits on top of the rice. Styles like this usually show ripe-berry and light cream notes, low acidity and no tannin. Oak doesn't apply to sake, so nothing woody or toasty should interrupt the soft, fruity finish. Serve it well chilled, around 40 to 45°F, which keeps the sweetness fresh and the texture smooth. The settled rice should be mixed back in before opening, so tip the bottle gently upside down once or twice instead of shaking it hard. Decanting isn't needed, and pouring straight from the bottle keeps the cloudiness even. A small white wine glass or a stemmed tulip shape holds the berry aroma better than a tiny sake cup, though a chilled ceramic cup works if you prefer the traditional approach. The fruit and creamy sweetness suit foods with some heat or salt. Spicy Thai or Szechuan dishes, tempura, and sushi rolls with a little sriracha mayo are all natural partners. It also works with fresh goat cheese, cheesecake, shortbread, or a bowl of plain berries as dessert. Styles like this can also be poured over crushed ice or blended into a light spritz with sparkling water. This is a drink-now sake, not a bottle to cellar. Nigori and fruit-flavored sakes taste best when fresh, so keep the bottle refrigerated and upright. Once opened, finish it within a few days, since the strawberry notes fade and the texture can change the longer it sits.