Mir

Mir is made by Esplanda in Massachusetts and is listed under both wine and soju. The listing names no grape, vintage, ABV or flavor profile, so the guidance below is what to expect from the category, not a measured profile of this bottle. Check the label for ABV and any sweetness or style notes before you plan around it. Soju is usually a clear, light-bodied drink with a clean, faintly sweet profile and little or no oak or tannin. Expect a smooth, short-to-medium finish. Bottles that lean toward the wine side of the category tend to be softer and fruitier. Either way, this style is built to be drunk young. It is not a bottle to cellar, and an unopened bottle should be kept somewhere cool and out of direct light. Serve it well chilled, roughly 38 to 45°F (3 to 7°C), straight from the refrigerator or with a short stay in an ice bucket. It does not need decanting. For glassware, a small shot-style glass is traditional for soju, while a small white-wine glass or a stemless tumbler suits a softer, wine-leaning bottle and lets you smell it before you sip. For food, soju is classically paired with salty, spicy and fried dishes: Korean barbecue, kimchi, grilled pork belly, fried chicken, savory pancakes and spicy stews. The chilled, clean palate cuts through richness and heat. Lightly sweet versions also work with fresh fruit or mild cheeses.