Liberty Wines makes first foray into Sake

By Jo Gilbert

Published: 30 June, 2017

Liberty Wines has become the UK agent for Tosa Brewery’s Keigetsu range, marking the first time they’ve added a Sake into their portfolio.

The importer has specialised in Italy since setting up in 1997, and has since upgraded its French collection and expanded its portfolio to include wines from the New World’s usual suspects, South America, Australia and the US.

In its 20th anniversary year, Liberty is now moving even further away from its European comfort zone by taking on four different Sake wines.

‘Keigetsu’ is a Japanese term which refers the moment when the moon hangs over Katsurahama – a famous beach in the Kochi prefecture where the brewery is based.

The entire range has no distilled alcohol added, making it a junmai style of Sake.

One is designated junmai dai-ginjo, which requires the highest minimum polish rate of at least 50%.

Another is tokubetsu junmai where the grains are polished to 60%.

A polish rate refers to of the amount of the grain remaining after polishing and influences the aromatic quality of the Sake.

If a Sake has a 55% polish rate, then 55% of the grain remains after polishing and 45% has been polished away.

Overseeing the new additions is Liberty buyer Jennifer Docherty MW, SSI Kikisake-shi (Master of Sake) and an International Wine Challenge Sake Panel Chair judge.

“We are extremely excited to be making our first foray into Sake. Tosa Brewery’s dedication to quality and commitment to sustainability reflect our own values and make them our perfect partner,” she said.