In a guide titled “A basic guide to finding your favorite sake“, the aim was to simplify the process as much as possible for understanding one’s favorite sake. However, the difficulty of deciphering information from labels and such remained.
Therefore, a new diagram has been created that can easily categorize the type of sake based on the sensations experienced when drinking it.
This diagram utilizes a common two-axis model. The horizontal axis determines whether the sake is perceived as sweet or dry (or heavy vs. light), while the vertical axis distinguishes between fruity aroma and rice-derived umami. That’s all there is to it.
By identifying which of the four areas on this chart a sake falls into—sweet or dry with fruity aroma, or rice umami—you can easily order your preferred type at sake shops or izakayas. For instance, you might ask for “a dry sake with fruity aroma” (likely a Junmai Daiginjo or Daiginjo) or “a sake with a pronounced rice flavor and heavier body” (possibly a Kimoto or Yamahai style).
Moreover, sake flavors seem to be shifting from the lower right area towards the upper left area in recent years. Thus, the closer you get to the lower right, the more traditional the sake tends to be, whereas moving towards the upper left indicates a more modern/contemporary style.