The "Takarayama prototype" series EAT JAPAN Taste Award 2026 in the category of Bishu (Japanese sake) The award ceremony was held in January.

Limited edition sets commemorating the certification are available only in January.

2026.01.26 09:00

株式会社fermata、たからやま醸造株式会社

fermata Corporation, Takarayama Brewing Co. (Location: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Trade name: Takarayama Shuzo; Brewery: Nishigami-ku, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture) has announced the release of a new sake product, "Takarayama prototype", which is a sake produced by Takarayama.

Takarayama prototype

Takarayama prototype wine barrel-aged sake

(Brewery: Nishigami-ku, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture) is pleased to announce that two of its sake products, Takarayama prototype and Takarayama prototype wine barrel-aged, have been recognized as "Chef's Choice" in the Bishu (Japanese sake) category of the "Eat JAPAN Delicacy Award 2026" after a panel of chefs.

授賞式集合写真

Group photo at the award ceremony

In the "EAT JAPAN Taste Award", food professionals actually taste-test and evaluate the products comprehensively, including not only the taste, but also the product characteristics, storyline, and clarity of target customers.

In the Bishu category, chefs from various genres such as Japanese, French, Italian, and Chinese cuisine participate as judges.

■Contents of the certification

Certificate

Takarayama prototype wine barrel-aged

ワイン樽熟成

Wine Barrel Aged

The French Chef's Choice: ★ (2 stars)

Japanese chef's choice: ★ (1 star)

Italian chef's choice: ★ (1 star)

Takarayama prototype

prototype

The Italian Chef's Choice: ★(1 star)

Italian chef's choice : ★(2 stars)

French Chef's Choice: ★ (1 star)

Each product was evaluated from different perspectives for each cuisine genre based on its aroma and flavor characteristics.

The judges' comments included impressions of the aroma, balance of acidity and sweetness, and specific suggestions for pairing with food, all based on actual serving scenarios.

■Judges' Comments

Here are some of the comments received from the judges.

Takarayama prototype wine barrel-aged

Japanese chef

　It goes well with grilled fish and potatoes. The strong oak-aged aroma goes well with meat dishes.

Chinese chef

　Chinese chef: "Interesting. It goes well with grilled meat. It also goes well with savory vegetables.

French chef

　"The oak aroma is wonderful and it has a nice sharpness. It goes well with French cuisine. I would like to pair it with beef, gibier (deer, Colbert duck), and Grand Benueur.

Italian chef

　For Western cuisine. It has a Scandinavian nuance. Salmon butter/cream cheese cold dish/trout cold dish. It also goes well with mushrooms.

　Shaoxing wine-like flavor and taste. Very enjoyable. It also has a wine oakiness, and can be served with Chinese food, oily food, peculiar meats, and game.

[Takarayama prototype

Japanese chef

　The acidity is unique. I would like to match it with aromatic foods such as pickles.

　Japanese chef: "It has a sweet and sour taste, but it is very smooth and fruity. It is good with Western and Chinese food, but it also goes well with Japanese food. It is good for Western and Chinese cuisine, but it would also go well with Japanese food, such as simmered or deep-fried dishes with strong flavors.

Chinese chef

　It has a sweet and sour taste. Good for people who like wine.

French chef

　French chef: "The flavor is good. French chef: "Great flavor, great aroma. It would go well with veal, beurre noisette, truffles..." - Italian chef

Italian chef

　Italian chef: "Not only as an aperitif, but as an aperitif, it is very interesting. I would serve it with beef as an aperitif or main course in a large wai glass.

　Italian chef: "It's a new taste and aroma. It is a new taste and aroma. Not too sweet, and the variety of aromas is delightful."

■Commemorating the certification and the release of a limited set

prototype2本

Two bottles of PROTOTYPE

To commemorate the certification, we will release a limited edition set of "Takarayama prototype" and "Takarayama prototype wine barrel-aged" for a limited time at a special price.

By comparing the two wines with different approaches to aging, the set allows consumers to more clearly appreciate the individual characteristics of each wine.

■Summary of the Certified Commemorative Limited Set

prototype2本2