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What the words on a label mean. Written by hand, with sources.

Start hereHow to read a labelThe biggest characters are usually the sake’s name, not the brewery. The grade, the polishing ratio and the details sit smaller, often on the back label.

Grades

Grades at a glance特定名称酒Eight grade names, built from two questions: was brewer’s alcohol added, and how far was the rice polished? Sake that carries none of them is futsūshu, ordinary sake.
Junmai純米Made only from rice, kōji and water, with no added brewer’s alcohol.
Ginjō and daiginjō吟醸 · 大吟醸Rice polished to 60% or less and brewed with the ginjō method. Daiginjō takes the polishing to 50% or less.
Honjōzō本醸造Rice polished to 70% or less, with a small, limited amount of brewer’s alcohol added.
Polishing ratio精米歩合The percentage of each rice grain that is left after milling. 60% means 40% was milled away.

Styles and processes

Rice

Sake rice酒造好適米Brewers prefer rice bred for the job: large grains with a white, starchy core and little protein. A few varieties appear on labels again and again.

Serving and tasting

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