"Tamakashiwa" from Kuramoto Yamada (蔵元やまだ) in Gifu Prefecture, Wins Top Prize in the Junmai Daiginjo Category of French competition "Kura Master"!

Tamakashiwa Junmai Daiginjo from Yamada Shoten, L.P. (Kuramoto Yamada 蔵元やまだ), a sake brewery in Yaotsu, Gifu Prefecture, was selected as the top sake in the Junmai Daiginjo category of the "Kura Master 2023" sake competition chosen by French wine sommeliers.
*This article is an English translation of an article published on June 8, 2023.

The Sake Competition will select the Platinum and Gold Award winners, which are awarded to the top 33% of the 1090 entries in all five categories; Junmai-shu, Junmai Daiginjo, Sake Sparkling, Classic Fermentation, and Koshu (aged sake). In addition, the top 16 finalist sake brands will be selected from the Platinum Award winners, and five brands will be selected for the "President’s Prize," the top prize in each category.

In the Junmai Daiginjo category, where 443 entries were submitted, the "Jury Prize," the highest award in the category, was awarded to "Tamakashiwa Junmai-daiginjo" from the sake brewery "Kuramoto Yamada” (Yamada Shoten, L.P.) in Yaotsu-cho, Kamo-gun, Gifu Prefecture.

We asked Mr. Kazuhiko Yamada, the brewery's owner, how he felt about receiving the award.

On receiving the Jury Prize

Mr.Yamada:
Our company has consistently brewed sake in pursuit of sake that goes well with food and that you never get tired of drinking. We have been pursuing the ideal of a sake that is not too assertive, but rather a sake that gently accompanies and does not interfere with meals. In particular, the brewing water in Yaotsu, where the brewery is located, is soft and produces a sake that is gentle on the palate. The combination of the brewer's technique to maximize the original flavor of the rice and the accumulated experience of the brewer will produce the ideal sake for our company. 

In fact, in 2019, we won the Top 5 in the Junmai-daiginjo category of the same contest, but we were just one step away from first place in the category. This time, we were able to stand at the top of 443 Junmai-daiginjo, and being recognized by a top sommelier who works in France, a city renowned for its gastronomy, gave us confidence that we are brewing world-class sake. 

We are also most proud that our handmade sake, brewed by three people in a traditional environment with traditional equipment and tools, won the top prize in a contest in which many of the nation's most famous breweries were represented. We have been expressing the taste of handmade sake by carefully weaving our thoughts and feelings into the sake brewing process, and we were rewarded for our efforts. 

With the current global expansion of Japanese food, we feel that sake has the potential to be paired with not only Japanese food, but also with a variety of other cuisines. Although we are a small sake brewery in Yaotsu, we hope to continue to promote the deep appeal of sake both in Japan and abroad.

The award-winning sake "Tamakashiwa Junmai Daiginjo”

Mr.Yamada:
This is a masterpiece of our brewery, a product of the skill and spirit of our master brewers, who have been meticulous in bringing out the best of the characteristics of Yamadanishiki sake rice and utilizing the power of nature brewed by koji mold and yeast bacteria. The rice is polished in-house over a long period of time. It is characterized by its juicy, fruity aroma and mouth-watering flavor. It pairs well with dishes made with shellfish and sea urchins.

Jury Prize (top sake in each category) winners (5 sake brands in total)

1.Junmai-shu Category
Aichi Prefecture: "Kunizakari Junmai Ginjo Handago 1801 (國盛  純米吟醸 半田郷  1801)" by Nakano Sake Brewery (中埜酒造株式会社)

2.Junmai Daiginjo Category
Gifu Prefecture: "Tamakashiwa Junmai-daiginjo (玉柏 純米大吟醸)" by Yamada Shoten (合資会社 山田商店)

3.Sake Sparkling Category　
Akita Prefecture: "Dewatsuru Ashitae (出羽鶴  明日へ)" by Akitaseishu,Dewatsuru Shuzo (出羽鶴酒造株式会社)

4.Classic Fermentation Category
Hyogo Prefecture: "saku 03 (朔 03)" by Fukunishiki (富久錦株式会社)

5.Koshu (aged sake) Category　
Hyogo Prefecture: “SHIRAYUKI Edo-Genroku extra matured (超特撰白雪江戸元禄の酒（復刻酒）長期熟成古酒)” by Konishi Brewing (小西酒造株式会社)

What is Kura Master?

Kura Master is a sake competition for French people that has been held in France since 2017. The judges are mainly French and European professionals in the food and beverage industry, including M.O.F.* holders, which certifies the highest level of craftsmanship by the French government, as well as top sommeliers, barmen, and wine store owners from top French hotels, restaurants, and hotel culinary schools. The team is composed of professionals in the food and beverage industry. 

*The title is awarded to highly skilled artisans who are worthy of being the most outstanding inheritors of French culture (The French National Order of the Best Craftsman).

Kura Master official HP: https://kuramaster.com/ja/
Reference articles: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000025.000035460.html　　　　　　https://kuramaster.com/ja/