New Brand: Hiro Sake Jul 20, 2021 PREMIUM JAPANESE SAKE Hiro Sake is a world class; hand crafted sake, created using expertise with an uncompromising approach to quality. THE BEGINNING Hiro Sake was developed in 2011 by industry veterans, Carlos Arana, Marco Destefanis and Claudia Valotta. The founders, having worked together during their prolific careers realized that there were still untapped opportunities in the spirits industry. This partnership combined with their entrepreneurial spirit. They sought to create a new brand in a niche but growing category—sake—where the need for a modern recognizable brand in the U.S. was apparent. The American consumer knew very little about quality sake and how to define it. So, they set out on a mission to change it, and headed to Japan. THE VISION (Sake Made Simple) The founders knew it was time for a premium sake to lead the category. Making it clear, understandable, with strong brand presence, along with clean packaging tailored to the American consumer like no other. Focusing on the wellness attributes of premium Japanese sake such as: gluten free, preservative free, low sugar, and its versatility. Launching Hiro Sake in the U.S. with Hiro Blue Junmai Ginjo and Hiro Red Junmai, it immediately started winning praise. A few years later, finally Hiro Gold Junmai Daiginjo made its U.S. debut, winning several awards. Today all three sakes have collectively won numerous awards and accolades, each holding gold medals awarded from the coveted San Francisco International Wine Competition (SFIWC). ABOUT THE BREWERY Taiyo Sake Brewery is located in Murakami, the northernmost town in Niigata Prefecture, renowned for world-class handcrafted sake. Taiyo was formed through the merger of 14 different Murakami breweries, one brewery having been established in 1635. During harvest season, the Murakami plain is blanketed in golden rice fields which provide an abundance of the best quality rice in Japan. The network of underground water channels which skirts around the Miomote River creates the perfect setting for brewing premium sake. In this rich environment, Taiyo strives to produce the finest sake available worldwide. We continue to be excited about the growth of the sake category in the U.S. and are thrilled to partner with our colleagues at the Taiyo Sake Brewery to bring the best sake to the U.S. market. Hiro Sake Brewery Rice Field Group of brewers or Kurabitos dividing the rice into equal parts in the ‘koji room’. THE RICE (AND PROCESS) Rice Plantation - The first stage in the cultivation of our Sake rice in Murakami, Niigata Prefecture. Rice Field - Stunning green rice fields in the Murakami plains Harvested Rice - Ready to start the production that will create Japanese Sake, Hiro Sake! Rice Milling and Phases - The rice used for Hiro Sake in three different stages, starting from left to right with the top grade rice called shuzo kotekimai (Sake rice), before being milled or “polished” to remove the outer layers; a medium phase in the process; and the final core or center of the grain, which is so precious it resembles a ‘pearl’. Koji is steamed rice that has had an exquisite and benign fungus introduced onto it. This delicate mold creates several enzymes that break the starches in the rice into sugars, which are then fermented by the yeast, creating the alcohol. Without koji, there is no Japanese Sake… Meet: The Toji (Head Master Brewer) The To-ji Or Sake Master has created an exquisite brew that bridges the heritage of the past with today’s modern drinking patterns. Masaru san is well respected in the Niigata Sake industry for his highly regarded skills, experience and intuition. He plays a very important role in the production of Hiro Sake. Toji Master Brewer is taste testing freshly made sake Toji Master Brewer inspects freshly cut rice in the field. HIRO PRODUCT FAMILY Junmai Daiginjo (Hiro Gold) Junmai Ginjo (Hiro Blue) Junmai (Hiro Red) Junmai Daiginjo (Hiro Gold) Modest cantaloupe or banana aromas with gentle and fruity sweet flavor followed by an elegant and smooth aftertaste reminding you of a modest beautiful Japanese lady in Kimono. Hiro Gold Daiginjo Sake is available in 720ml bottles. Wine Warehouse Portfolio Wine Warehouse is the industry leader in print production, creating graphic print tools for our teams to translate supplier identities into brand growth and marketplace success. From our monthly price books to our annual catalogs, Wine Warehouse delivers unparalleled wholesale marketing materials. Product Catalogs and more! 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