Narutotai Ginjo Nama Genshu – Drunken Snapper

Last Updated: 7/14/2020

At a Glance: A mega-popular sake that packs a punch of fruit, acidity, and heat. A slightly sweet impact fades into a snappy dry finish. 

Narutotai Ginjo Nama Genshu is big, exuberant, and not for the faint of heart. Traditionalists often find Nama Genshu to be over the top and lacking nuance. Americans, especially younger groups, tend to be more open to this style of sake. Either way, Drunken Snapper is bold and snappy. It has a powerful structure that can be overwhelming– but it’s not lacking in character. 

This character is due primarily to choices in the brewery. As a ginjo-shu– Drunken Snapper is fairly fruit-forward and aromatic. But this is no ordinary ginjo. This sake is a shiboritate (“fresh-pressed”). This means it’s bottled right after pressing. Think fresh. It’s also a namazake, meaning unpasteurized. Namazake is lively and acidic. Finally, Narutotai is a genshu, so no diluting water is added at the end of the brewing process. This makes it boozier. Together these choices lead to fruity, big-boned, and intense sake.  

The can design pays homage to a sake vat as well as keeps the volatile Nama protected from light. The brand name and the label’s sea bream image reference the area’s prized fish that inhabits the swirling currents of the Naruto no Uzushio. 

Pairing/ Service

Madai, Tai, Hamachi, awa o-dori, Sobagome-zōsui; Bitter dishes like mustard greens, Americanized maki rolls with heavy sauce, simmered, and grilled seafood. 

Narutotai Ginjo Nama Genshu is best served chilled or cold. It’s also acceptable on the rocks, as this sake packs a punch. In this case, consider a sudachi wedge as garnish, as this citrus is Tokushima’s flagship fruit.

Label / Kanji