Minakuchi Shuzo Selected as 6th 'Best Brewery' at France's Sake Competition 'Kura Master 2026'!

Minakuchi Shuzo Co., Ltd. (3-23 Dogokita-machi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture), the only sake brewery in the Matsuyama-Dogo area founded in 1895 (Meiji 28), has been selected as the 6th 'Best Brewery' at the 'Kura Master 2026' sake competition held in France.

Achieving the remarkable feat of all six submitted brands winning Gold or higher awards out of a total of 1,083 entries from leading breweries nationwide, this result internationally recognizes Minakuchi Shuzo's overall high quality, celebrating the brewery's technical standards.

What is Kura Master?

Kura Master is a Japanese sake competition held annually in France since 2017, judged by European professionals, primarily French. This year (2026) marks its commemorative 10th anniversary. The judges consist of specialists from the food and beverage industry, including MOF holders (Meilleurs Ouvriers de France) with qualifications as France's highest national craftsmen, top sommeliers from first-class hotels, and barmen. They particularly emphasize evaluation based on the compatibility of food and drink ('mariage'), a historical French culinary culture. Awards are determined through rigorous blind tasting.

Selected as 6th Best Brewery: A remarkable achievement led by all submitted sakes winning awards

Particularly noteworthy in this selection is that all six entered brands, led by 'NIKITATSU2024 NIKITATSU Junmai Daiginjo,' which won the top Platinum Award, received either a 'Platinum Award' or a 'Gold Award.'

'Best Brewery' (Prix du Jury) evaluates the fundamental strength of a brewery based on the performance of all submitted sakes, not just specific brands. The fact that our sake brewing has been highly evaluated by world standards through blind tasting by experts active on the front lines of French food culture is a great encouragement and honor for all our brewers.

'NIKITATSU2024 NIKITATSU Junmai Daiginjo' Wins Platinum Award

'NIKITATSU2024 NIKITATSU Junmai Daiginjo' splendidly won the Platinum Award in the Junmai Daiginjo (1-35%) category. It achieved the highest evaluation, awarded to only 9.6% (12 out of 125 entries) of the total 125 sakes submitted in this category. Its gorgeous aroma and delicate flavor balance received extremely high praise from the French judges, leading to this award.

The 'NIKITATSU2024 NIKITATSU Junmai Daiginjo,' which won the Platinum Award this time, is a Junmai Daiginjo brewed to commemorate the full reopening (renewal) of the Dogo Onsen Honkan, said to be Japan's oldest hot spring, in 2024. It is a masterpiece that embodies the brewers' skill, using the excellent water of Nukitatsu for brewing and polishing Ehime Prefecture's sake rice 'Shizuku Hime' to 30%. It has a fresh, crisp, apple-like aroma, and a rich, sweet, and harmonious taste with balanced acidity. The bottle features an original design dyed in the enchanting and magnificent dawn colors of Dogo, representing the new beginning of Dogo Onsen. This is a sake to be enjoyed on special occasions with special people. Furthermore, this product has received numerous high evaluations both domestically and internationally, including the Regional Grand Prize (Best of Ehime) and Ginjo (Rich & Aromatic Category) Silver Award at the 'Oriental Sake Awards 2025,' a Gold Award in the Premium Daiginjo category at the 'Wine Glass Delicious Sake Awards 2025,' a Bronze Award in the Junmai Daiginjo category at the 'SAKE COMPETITION,' and a Good Design Award at the 'Milano Sake Challenge 2025.'

[Product Specifications]

Polishing Ratio: 30% Alcohol Content: 15.5% Volume: 720ml Retail Price: 6,600 yen (tax included)

Other Gold Award-Winning Sakes

NIKITATSU NIKITATSU Junmai Daiginjo (Junmai Daiginjo 1-35% Category Gold)

A rich and clear taste, perfect for the first toast. NIKITATSU's most gorgeous aroma rises, with a pleasant and long-lasting finish. A luxurious Junmai Daiginjo where the mellow richness of polished rice quietly spreads, satisfying with just one glass.

[Awards]

'Wine Glass Delicious Sake Awards 2026' Premium Daiginjo Category 'Grand Gold Award' 2026 Ehime Prefecture New Sake Appraisal, Daiginjo Category, 1st Place / Ehime Prefecture Governor's Award 13th Washu Fes Osaka, Washu Fes Grand Prize, Spring Sake Category, Grand Gold Award

[Product Specifications]

Polishing Ratio: 35% Alcohol Content: 15.2% Volume: 720ml Retail Price: 5,500 yen (tax included)

NIKITATSU2025 NIKITATSU Junmai Daiginjo (Junmai Daiginjo 36-50% Category Gold)

Minakuchi Shuzo founded 1