Colors Earth Rikuu 132
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed within 1 to 3 years of release when kept properly chilled, though it can develop intriguing savory complexity over 5 years under optimal cellar conditions.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Fresh oysters, grilled sea bass, creamy goat cheese
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Aramasa's 'Colors' series is a vivid exploration of Akita's agricultural heritage, with the 'Earth' (Rikuu 132) expression serving as a liquid monument to Japanese history. Brewed using Rikuu 132, an heirloom rice variety created in 1921 as Japan's first successful pedigree hybrid, this sake carries a profound legacy. The variety was famously championed by the beloved poet and agriculturalist Kenji Miyazawa, who distributed its seeds to impoverished farmers in the Tohoku region to help them survive devastating cold spells. True to Aramasa's uncompromising philosophy, this sake is crafted using the traditional Kimoto starter method, fermented in cedar casks (Kioke), and driven by the historic Kyokai No. 6 yeast. The result is an avant-garde creation that drinks like a complex, high-acid white wine, offering a striking tension between pristine minerality, rustic cedar undertones, and a vibrant, citrus-led acidity.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1852 in Akita Prefecture, Japan, Aramasa Shuzo is a legendary brewery currently led by eighth-generation president Yusuke Sato, who has revolutionized the house with a focus on heritage and natural brewing. Aramasa is globally revered as the birthplace of Kyokai No. 6 yeast, the oldest active sake yeast strain distributed in Japan, which they use exclusively across their entire portfolio. Operating with a strict commitment to traditional methods, the brewery utilizes 100% Akita-grown rice, employs the labor-intensive kimoto starter method, and ferments its liquids in cedar wooden casks (kioke) without any additives. Their highly sought-after, low-alcohol, and beautifully acidic expressions—such as the iconic No. 6 series, Colors collection, and avant-garde releases like Invisible Pink Unicorn—have redefined modern sake, bridging the gap between traditional Japanese craftsmanship and contemporary fine wine aesthetics.