Handy Storage Guide to Sake
How to keep delicious sake delicious
The aromas of sake are extremely subtle, delicate,changeable, and easily lost so correct storage is essential.

There are three factors that damage sake: temperature, light, and oxygen

Temperature
When in Doubt, Store Sake in a Cool Place!
Temperature management is key to preserving sakeʼs delicate
aromas. It is best to follow the manufacturerʼs recommended
temperature, but it is also okay to store in a cool place like awine cellar: 5-15℃/40-60℉.

Temperature
affects aroma!

Keep Nama-zake/Sparkling sake &Ginjo-shu at 4℃/40℉ or Lower
As these styles of sake are particularly sensitive, they need
to be stored at much lower temperatures: 4℃/40℉ or lower.

Nama-zakefridge!

Sparkling sakestore us in theGinjoshu

Please always

For delicate styles,
keep the temperature low

LightStore Sake Away from Light
Contact with light can damage sakeʼs taste, aroma, and color.
As with wine and beer, avoid storing and displaying sake nearlight sources. Use non-UV LED lights and UV-cut film. If UV lightLight causesoff-flavors

cannot be avoided, wrap the bottle in paper to protect it.

Avoid sunlight andfluorescent light

OxygenSeal Tightly after Opening
While sake has a higher resistance to oxygen than wine, it
is not impervious. Always ensure a tight seal after opening andconsume within 1 month. Always store sake upright.

＊This is a general guide and may not apply to all types of sake.

Oxygenaccelerates
discoloration

Consume soonafter opening

Sake Dislikes Warm Places

Sake also dislikes UV rays

Sake that has been stored too long starts to gain stale,These short light waves tan human skin and cause an

burnt and sulfurous odor called, which tend tounpleasant onion-like odor called

increase as the ambient temperature rises.
High temperatures may also cause the(light-struckodor) in sake and decompose amino acids, which lead to, fruity/floral

the bitter taste.

aromas that some types display, to fade and or deteriorate.

The Link Between Bottle Color and UV Rays
Perhaps you have wondered why sake, wine, andbeer are often sold in brown color or dark color

Low transmission in this region inflict less damageon the sake in the bottle.
100bottles. While not so aesthetically pleasing, this color

between bottle color and light transmission. Hightransmission in the UV region of 400nm or lessdamages the sake. We can also see that brown andTransmittance（%）

The graph on the right shows the correlation

Moss-green

60
50
40

Green

30
20colors.

10

also fluorescent light.

Blue70green bottles let less light pass through than other
UV rays are a constituent of not only sunlight butWhite80

is used to stop light from passing through the glass andchanging the quality of the contents.

UV region

90Brown

0200

Dark moss-green
250300

350

400

450

500

550

600

650 700 750 800
Wavelength（nm）

Transmitted light spectrum of colored bottles

Sake Type Glossary

Refrigeration Glossary●Types that are refrigerated（4℃/40℉ or lower）

In Japan, you can buy special fridges capable of storing
as low as -5℃/20℉. Because sakeʼs alcohol by volume

Non-pasteurized sake* that offers ais higher than wine and beer, it does not freeze at thisfresher flavor profile.

Sparklingsaketemperature.
However, please be advised that at around -18℃/0℉ or

Sake containing carbon dioxide gas.

lower, there is a high risk it will freeze and or the bottle

Some types called sparkling cloudy

will shatter.

sake still contain yeast.
The category known for its delicate
fruity aroma. Includes,,, andgrades.
* Sake is normally sterilized by heating twice before shipping
to stabilize it and make it suitable for long storage.

●Types stored in a cool place (5-15℃/40-60℉)
Rich rice-derived flavor profile.
Sake aged intentionally before shipping.

Long aged
sakeSometimes labelled as. Displays

a unique flavor profile including aromas
reminiscent of caramel, nuts, spice.

Misc.

and standard sake offerdifferent flavor profiles from the above.

National ResearchInstitute of Brewing
3-7-1, Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima,
Hiroshima, 739-0046
Website : https://www.nrib.go.jp/English/
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