Choya Plum wine"original" 750ml

Product Information

Plums used in this wine contain the essence of resins, nutmeg, and candied orange that blend in beautifully to result in a sweet and fruity taste.

Now that you know what to look out for when choosing a bottle of umeshu, it’s time to check out our list of favourites. This distinct take on the classic mojito swaps out mint for shiso and is inspired by one of my favorite umeshu from Houraisen, which was made with shiso paste added to the extraction. I recently made my own a few weeks ago, and checked up on it yesterday – I gave it a shake and noticed that the lid was fizzing a little bit. If this is a bit confusing, don’t worry, as the terms “plum wine” or “plum sake” are widely accepted and synonymous with each other to describe umeshu. If you think shochu or vodka is not giving you the right results, you should try to find what is known as ‘white liquor’ in Japan.Whether you prefer a sweeter drink or you’re interested in trying something more unusual, there’s a flavour of umeshu out there for you! The end product has an alcohol content of about 15% and is usually sweet and sour, making it really easy to drink.

Many companies use whole ume fruits in their wine-making process, and certain premium brands will have the fruits included inside the bottles.The alcohol added to the fruit is usually brandy or shochu (a Japanese white liquor), although some brands may use vodka, gin, or white rum. Koi-Umeshu is made by pureeing the plums used to make this umeshu and then mixing them back into the liquor as opposed to regular umeshu which is made by steeping the whole ume plum. It has the most in common with liqueurs, in that it is flavored with fruit (ume) and has an alcohol base, as well as prominent sweetness as part of its flavor profile. If you’re curious about the range of sugar content by taste, I would consider Nanbu Bijin for its natural sweetness, Choya in between and Sawanotsuru as the sweetest. Despite this, it’s an affordable choice which is a good introduction to umeshu for those on a lower budget.

Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with various dishes, it offers a versatile drinking experience. I enjoyed it on several occasions as an aperitif and for dessert, and for our recent celebration of Lunar New Year, we tried it with a homemade Cantonese-inspired lobster dish which was a phenomenal pairing! Whether you fancy a luxurious white chocolate beverage or prefer a low-calorie drink, we’ve got you covered! The tug of war between sweet and sour is evident across all serving temperatures to different degrees. To make plum wine, we need neutral, colorless, near-flavorless distilled spirits/liquor such as shochu (焼酎) and vodka.Umeshu is a Japanese delicacy similar to Mochi, that has become insanely popular through social media in recent times, and we keep seeing cooking channels making authentic Umeshu from scrumptious looking fruits. Being one of the reputed companies in the world of Umeshu wines, it specializes in wine made from completely natural ingredients.

S. means that even if you have already begun your umeshu journey, odds are the end is nowhere near in sight. With its fruit-forward focus and lingering sweetness, it is perhaps the most approachable of all sake-adjacent beverages.Shochu and rock sugar (preferred for slow dissolution) are also available at many Asian markets, and if not, vodka or any other flavorless white alcohol of about 35% ABV can be used. With so many delicious types of umeshu out there, we’re sure you’ll find your new favourite beverage in no time.