RESORT GUIDE NEIL HARTMANN NIKKO - Powderlife

TASTE THE REGION // kurabitoshu sakeCONTACT // Tourism and Industry Division, Hokkaido, Niseko Town,Aza Fujimi47 Japan. T. 0136 44 2121. Ask for Paul.THE plummeting price of rice duringthe 1990s forced Niseko ricefarmers to produce a higher-qualityproduct or risk losing theirlivelihood. Having only everreached a B in terms of rice quality,this posed a tough situationfor farmers.The local Niseko governmentthen assisted farmers in creating ahigher standard of rice. What alsoresulted from the high-quality rice isan exceptional sake made from localingredients, Kurabitoshu Sake.The sake maker, Tanaka Shuzo, isjust as committed to the productionof an excellent end product asthe farmers are to growing the rice.Shuzo-san has a long history with thegroup and uses 100% Niseko-grownrice for his sake.The growth of the rice is assistedusing natural alternatives such asthe organic duck-farming method(pictured), which supports the area’s‘Yes Clean’ scheme. Ducklings areused to keep the rice paddies freefrom pests and weeds during therice-growing season, and enhancethe quality of the soils naturally. Theducks reach maturity just before therice and are sold as meat locally overthe winter period.One sip of Kurabitoshu Sake ismuch more than having a warmingdrink on a chilly winter’s night.The people behind each cup of sakebelieve in every step of its production,from growing the rice to when it’s bottled.The farmers’ wishes are simple:to keep producing high-quality rice,which then translates to exceptionalsake. Available for purchase at NisekoCellars in the J-Sekka complex.27powderlife issue 29 // December 25 - January 7, 2010 www.powderlife.com28powderlife issue 29 // December 25 - January 7, 2010 www.powderlife.com