Please note, this product is not available for shipping. It is available for free pick-up or delivery in Portland, OR.

Ine Mankai is made with a rare heirloom varietal of red rice which originates from the region where Ine Mankai is located. Red rice sake gets a (kind-of) fair comparison with rosé wines due mainly to their color, but mostly due to how freakin' awesome they are to drink when the sun is out and the weather is warm. However, there is also a ton of layered depth and bolder texture and flavor here which is distinctly not wine-like. The characteristics which make this sake so truly wonderful are really the sole domain of sake.

Ine Mankai presents cherry and vanilla flavors on the nose, along with floral notes. The palate leads with juicy pomegranate, cocoa, and cherry notes. There's also an interesting amount of funky umami present that gives the whole thing an unexpected depth and complexity. This red rice sake is rich and slightly savory with balancing acidity. This sake works wonderfully with a range of foods, but I would particularly enjoy having this with steak, grilled or roasted vegetables, radicchio salad, and definitely PIZZA. 

Brewmaster Kuniko Mukai got the idea for utilizing her local-heritage varietal red rice species from her Professor in fermentation and brewing techniques when she was studying in Tokyo. She launched this brew in 2000.