SakeOne "G" Sake/Genshu Unfiltered (Oregon)

While packing the other day, I ran across this bottle of “G” Sake. I’d visited SakeOne outside of Portland a few times for tastings. Visiting and tasting the variety of rice wines there, by the way, is a very interesting and informative way to spend an hour or two. I liked the wine, and I have to admit this is one instance where I did buy the bottle in part because of the graphic label with my initial. Their nicknaming the wine “Joy” cinched it, and here I am shaking the "Wine Pick of the Week" up a bit.

The 18 percent alcohol does hit the nose, so it is more of a food wine, though that mellows a bit sitting in the glass. But at the start I picked up a hint of almond, water chestnuts and a slight smokiness, too. The light straw color is very pretty. Flavors include ginger, then toast, and, as it sits in the glass, a bit of a honey finish. It would be excellent with sushi, a seared tuna steak with sesame crust or a nice Asian-style salad.

Overall, I like it, but it’s a different experience--and a nice change--from grape wine.