Tokutei Meisho-shu
特定名称酒
Grades & Classification
Definición
The official classification system for premium sake, defining eight specific designation grades based on rice polishing ratio and whether brewer's alcohol is added. Only about 30% of all sake produced qualifies as tokutei meisho-shu.
En profundidad
The eight grades are: junmai daiginjo, daiginjo, junmai ginjo, ginjo, tokubetsu junmai, tokubetsu honjozo, junmai, and honjozo. Each has specific requirements for seimai-buai (polishing ratio) and the use of jozo alcohol (brewer's alcohol). Sake that does not meet these criteria is classified as futsu-shu (ordinary sake). The system was established in 1990 to replace an earlier first/second/third class system that was based on taxation rather than quality.