"Kubota Manju" Wins Gold Medal in Junmai Daiginjo Sake (36-50% Polish Ratio) Category at Kura Master 2026

Asahi Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, President: Yasushi Hosoda)'s flagship sake, "Kubota Manju," has received a gold medal in the Junmai Daiginjo Sake (36-50% Polish Ratio) category at the "Kura Master 2026" sake competition held in Paris, France.

Kura Master is a sake competition held for French people, judged by food professionals including Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) holders, top sommeliers from luxury hotels, restaurant industry professionals, and wine experts. The competition particularly emphasizes "food and drink pairings" and is attracting significant attention as an indicator of sake's evaluation in the European market.

"Kubota Manju," the pinnacle of the Kubota brand, has graced many customers' special anniversaries since its launch in 1986. It is a Junmai Daiginjo sake characterized by its exquisite, soft mouthfeel, deep flavor, and elegant quality that complements food, making it suitable for celebrating those special moments.

We recognize this award as a testament to the quality and taste that "Kubota Manju" has cultivated over many years, being highly praised by experts from France, a country with one of the world's leading food cultures.

Asahi Shuzo will continue to strive to deliver deliciousness that creates special moments to the world through "Kubota."

[Awarded Product Overview]

"Kubota Manju" Product Overview

Product Name: Kubota Manju

Product Description:

A Junmai Daiginjo sake with a harmonious blend of a gorgeous aroma and a rich flavor, creating a complex and deep mouthfeel. Amidst the full-bodied softness born from the koji, umami, sweetness, and acidity are balanced, leading to a pleasant lingering finish that enhances moments of quality. It complements dishes that bring out elegant umami flavors, enhancing each other.

Ingredients: Koji Rice: Gohyakumangoku (50% polish ratio)

Kake Rice: Niigata-grown rice (33% polish ratio)

Alcohol Content: 15%

Recommended Serving Temperature: ◎10-15°C

Pairing Suggestions: Tempura of seafood, Tai Meshi (sea bream rice), Grilled chicken tenderloin with miso and perilla, Fried prosciutto with figs

Suggested Retail Price: 1,800ml ¥9,950 (¥10,945 incl. tax)

720ml ¥4,500 (¥4,950 incl. tax)

About Kura Master:

Kura Master is a sake competition founded in France in 2017. The judges are composed of professionals active at the forefront of the food industry, including recipients of the Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) award, sommeliers, chefs, and hotel/restaurant professionals. It is characterized by evaluating sake based on its compatibility with food and its taste from the perspective of French food and wine culture, and it is attracting high attention as an indicator for expanding sake's recognition and quality evaluation in Europe.

Official Website: https://kuramaster.com/#section1

About Asahi Shuzo Co., Ltd.:

Founded in 1830 (Tenpo 1) in Asahi, Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, an area surrounded by rice paddies and satoyama. For over 190 years, we have continued sincere sake brewing, focusing on Niigata-grown ingredients, utilizing the soft, clear underground water from our founding location, high-quality sake rice cultivated through research with local farmers, and the wisdom passed down from Koshiji Toji (master brewers) combined with technological innovation through basic research. Asahi Shuzo values quality and customer satisfaction above all else.