New Release: "ZUPPA Usunigori Sparkling," a Low-Alcohol Mini Bottle Sake from the "Craft Sake" Series, Fulfilling the Desire to Drink "Just a Little" and "Casually."

Mottox Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Higashiosaka City, Osaka Prefecture, President: Taisuke Teranishi), a specialized alcoholic beverage trading company founded in 1915, has launched "ZUPPA Usunigori Sparkling" (250ml), a low-alcohol sake with the concept of "drinkable straight from the bottle, with a refreshing and crisp taste," from its "Craft Sake*" series, which creates sake loved worldwide like wine in collaboration with brewers. * "Craft Sake" is a registered trademark of Mottox Co., Ltd. ▼ZUPPA Usunigori Sparkling Product Introduction Page: https://www.mottox.co.jp/catalog/craft-sake/003895 ▼About Mottox's Sake "Craft Sake": https://craftsake.mottox.co.jp/ **Alcohol Content 6.5%! "ZUPPA," a Sake to Enjoy Completely Casually** The newly released "ZUPPA" is a low-alcohol, small-volume sparkling sake that fulfills the need to enjoy sake "just a little" and "casually." While sake sometimes has the image of being "strong in alcohol and difficult to drink," **ZUPPA's alcohol content is 6.5%, less than half that of typical sake.** It's a beverage focused on drinkability, characterized by a crisp, refreshing taste and a lively, bubbly mouthfeel. Furthermore, with its small 250ml volume, you won't face the dilemma of "I want to try sake, but it's too much to finish," unlike with 4-go bottles (720ml) or 1-sho bottles (1,800ml). "ZUPPA" is a sparkling sake that can be enjoyed completely casually, both in taste and size. **Delicious even when drunk directly from the bottle! A sparkling sake from a wine importer's perspective.** In addition to its low alcohol content and bubbly mouthfeel, ZUPPA is set with a higher acidity to achieve a clean, refreshing drinkability. If we were to compare its clean acidity to wine, the grape variety would be Riesling. When enjoying white wine made from Riesling, a Riesling glass with a relatively small opening is often used. Similarly, ZUPPA, with its characteristic acidity, is best enjoyed in a small glass or by drinking directly from the bottle. By using a glass with a small opening or drinking directly from the bottle, you can fully savor ZUPPA's refreshing quality. ZUPPA's appeal lies in its "convenience" and "deliciousness," allowing direct drinking from the bottle even when glasses are unavailable, such as during outdoor picnics or BBQs. **Origin of the Product Name / Commitment to Label Design** In the Niigata region, where ZUPPA's brewer, "Koshitsukano Shuzo," is located, there is a dialect word "Zuppa." "Zuppa" means "all" or "completely." We named it "ZUPPA" because it is an alcoholic beverage that can be finished "entirely" from the bottle, in addition to its easy drinkability due to its 6.5% alcohol content and its small 250ml volume. To express its distinctive acidity and crisp taste, the label features a dynamic and stylish design. This sake is also recommended for those who are particular about not compromising on either ease of drinking or stylish appearance. **Chilled and Crisp! 3 Features of "ZUPPA"** 1. **Crisp Taste with Appealing Acidity** To achieve a clean and refreshing finish, sake with high acidity is brewed from rice produced in Niigata Prefecture. By increasing the acidity of the original sake, we succeeded in retaining a crisp acidity even after diluting it with water to an alcohol content of 6.5%. 2. **Moderate Sweetness Unique to Usunigori Sake** By adding an appropriate amount of lees before bottling, we have created a taste with sweetness and umami. It's a satisfying taste that combines crispness with a moderate richness. 3. **Delicious when Chilled! The Sparkling Effervescence** By injecting carbon dioxide gas, we have achieved a refreshing, bubbly mouthfeel. The effervescence makes it even more drinkable. It is recommended to serve well chilled from the refrigerator. **Brewer: Koshitsukano Shuzo Co., Ltd.** In 1996, the historic "Tsukano Shuzo," with origins in the mid-Edo period, merged with "Koshi Shuzo," which excelled in specialized sake classifications, to establish "Koshitsukano Shuzo" in Agono City, Niigata Prefecture. Sake brewing continues at the historic Tsukano Shuzo brewery, carrying on the traditions from its founding. They aim to produce sake that is not boring and offers excellent cost performance. Their Mottox original "Hirai Junmai-shu" and "Junmai Daiginjo-shu" are consistently popular. **Product Information** **** * Ingredients: Rice (Niigata Prefecture), Rice Koji (Niigata Prefecture Rice), Carbon Dioxide Gas * Rice Polishing Ratio: 80% * Nihonshu-do (Sake Meter Value): -32 * Alcohol Content: 6.5% * Product Number: 003895 * Volume/Quantity: 250ml x 24 * Suggested Retail Price: 720 yen (excluding tax) * Release Date: March 23, 2026 Comment: Moderate koji richness, refreshing acidity, and light carbonation. Drinking it straight from the bottle is recommended, as the acidity is pleasant. Once you get hooked on its refreshingness, you might become addicted.