Crystal clear with a lovely silver shimmer to it, and as soon as you take a sniff, it’s like walking through a spring garden: beautifully aromatic, super fresh, grassy and floral, with hints of juicy yellow melon, green apple, pineapple, and pear. It’s got just the right zing of acidity to keep it bright and seriously drinkable. The finish is long and fresh, with a subtle citrus zest and just a touch of bitterness that makes it extra refreshing.

Imagine this: nestled right at the foot of the Japanese Alps in northern Yamanashi, there’s this incredible sake brewery called Yamanashi Meijo, a total hidden gem with some serious history. It was founded way back in 1750 by a family of brewers who originally came from Nagano, and the whole thing kicked off when the seventh-generation brewer, Kitahara, stumbled upon the purest water you can imagine in the Hakushu region. We're talking snowmelt from Mount Kai Komagatake - over 2,900 metres high - that filters down through granite rock, picking up all the perfect minerals for sake along the way. Naturally, Kitahara knew he was onto something special and set up shop right there. The sake they produce? Think delicate yet full of depth, all thanks to those slow, cool fermentations that keep the flavour pristine. Their reputation grew so fast, even Emperor Meiji paid a visit - cool, right? These days, the 13th generation of the family is still running the show, keeping everything as thoughtful and tradition-rich as ever. Known for their purity, these guys are sake royalty, and their story (and sake) is just as refined as it sounds!