Farthest Star Sake Mountains On The Moon

Mountains On The Moon is a sake from Farthest Star Sake in Niigata, bottled at 15.5% ABV. That strength sits slightly above the 14 to 15% range of many table sakes, so expect a bit more weight and warmth on the palate than a lighter, everyday bottle would show. The label doesn't state the polishing grade or sake classification, so judge it by what's in the glass rather than by category. Niigata is Japan's snow country, and its sakes have a long reputation for a clean, dry, crisp style, often called tanrei karakuchi, with restrained aroma and a tidy finish. Bottles from the prefecture often lean in that direction, so expect a smooth, composed profile with soft rice sweetness, a gentle fruit or melon-like note and moderate acidity, rather than a heavy or sweet one. Sake has no tannin and no oak influence unless it has been barrel-aged, which this bottle is not stated to be, so texture comes from the rice and the acidity instead. Chill it to roughly 8 to 12°C, which is cool but not ice-cold. A fridge-cold pour can mute the rice character, and letting the bottle sit out for ten minutes or so lets aromas open. If you want to experiment, a gentle warming to about 40°C can round out the texture of a fuller-bodied sake, but start with the chilled version. No decanting is needed. A small white wine glass or a tulip-shaped sake glass concentrates the aroma better than a traditional flat cup, and a standard ochoko is fine for sharing. Food pairings follow the Niigata tradition: sashimi and nigiri, grilled white fish, salt-grilled chicken, tempura, tofu dishes and clear soups all suit a clean, savory sake. It is also a sensible match for lightly seasoned vegetables and mild cheeses. Strongly spiced or very sweet dishes will overpower it. This is a bottle to drink fresh rather than cellar. Once opened, keep it in the fridge and finish it within a few days, since aromas fade as it takes on air.