Private Lab Amaneko
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Best enjoyed fresh, typically within 1 to 2 years of the bottling date to experience its vibrant acidity at its peak.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Fresh oysters, raw shellfish, soft goat cheese
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Part of Aramasa's experimental 'Private Lab' series, 'Amaneko' (meaning 'Heavenly Cat') is a groundbreaking sake that blurs the line between traditional Japanese brewing and fine white wine. Its defining feature is the integration of white koji (Aspergillus kawachii)—a mold traditionally used in shochu production—alongside the standard yellow koji. This technique yields high levels of natural citric acid, imparting a vibrant, zesty tartness that beautifully balances the sake's natural sweetness. Brewed in Akita Prefecture using the legendary Kyokai No. 6 yeast and fermented in traditional wooden casks (kioke), Amaneko is a testament to Yusuke Sato's revolutionary vision, offering a pristine, mineral-driven profile with notes of citrus and green apple.
🍾 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.