Sake Meter Value
日本酒度
Definition
A numerical scale indicating the sweetness or dryness of sake, abbreviated as SMV or nihonshu-do. Positive values indicate drier sake (less residual sugar), while negative values indicate sweeter sake.
In Depth
SMV measures the specific gravity of sake relative to water at 15 degrees Celsius. A sake with SMV of 0 has the same density as water. As fermentation converts sugar to alcohol (which is lighter than water), the SMV rises. Most sake falls between -3 and +10, with the average around +3 to +5. However, SMV alone does not determine perceived sweetness; acidity (san-do) and amino acid content significantly influence the final taste impression. A sake with high acidity may taste dry despite a low or negative SMV.
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