戀戀櫻花 戀戀京都 Love Sakura Love Kyoto

戀戀櫻花 戀戀京都

往年這個時候，我敢說5%的香港人會在京都賞櫻追櫻。遺憾今年沒法成行。如何慰籍念櫻之情？奴有一方。 

座落在丹波市兵庫縣的西山造酒場酒創於1842年，一直秉承著以水、米、人以及世代相傳、千錘百鍊的傳統工藝泡製出無比和諧的清酒。 

第三代當家西山泊雲及其弟泊月都熱愛文藝詩詞，泊月筆名野村泊月；是杜鵑派俳句詩的表表者。昆仲有《西山二泊》之美譽，與當代詩人高濱虛子交情甚篤，經常詩酒雅聚、品酒說禪。一次酒酣歌熱之際，虛子即席揮毫題字“小鼓”，因為“小鼓”日語跟“這裏”同音，把酒命名為“小鼓”語帶相關的指這裡有好酒。高浜虛子的墨寶，依舊在酒莊展示。 

 路上有花是出自一位禪師的雋語，“路上有花兼有酒”，含義是即使是簡單如一朵小花，也可以感動和開悟人心。 

小鼓的包裝設計，是出自殿堂級的藝術家綿貫宏介的手筆，瀰漫著存在主義的色彩。 

清酒不是我的專長，第一次是跟Xavier Vignon 在澳門喝的，大家都覺得驚艷。之後在港澳市面上也找不到 ，托朋友從日本帶回來。後來才明白為什麼這麼好的酒不常見，很可能是因為貨期短，而且要像白葡萄酒冷藏。一般的烈酒店和日本食品店不一定有電子酒窖。 

泊雲是為了賞櫻而炮製小鼓系列，建議喝新鮮釀製的佳釀，所以為了保持新鮮，酒莊一年四季也會釀這酒。小鼓系列有“桃花“ 和 ”黑牡丹“。桃花比較輕盈，宜餐前。剛勁的”黑牡丹“是用曾經一度瀕臨絕種的“ 但馬強力” 米種釀製。西山家對保育這米種功不可沒。因為他們在兵庫縣是大地主，有資源支持保育行動。 

路上有花小鼓.葵，是精選當地出產的肥大米粒的山田錦，精米50%， 加上當地特有的原生天然酵母小川10號，和非常柔軟的竹田川地下水釀製的。這地下水純凈而且隱約有一股梅子鮮香。 

花香四溢，櫻花和牡丹尤為明顯，梨子和香蕉高雅而內斂。口感溫柔軟滑，一瞬間溜到喉嚨去，餘韻悠長。酒體苗條纖巧，香味隨溫度和氧化程度變化，層出不窮。渾然天成的平衡與和諧。這是一瓶引人入勝的酒，可以享受整個晚上。 

 一如西山泊雲自我評價： 小鼓不是你一生要喝一次的酒，而是一生人都要再飲的酒。

雖然不能去日本賞櫻，希望“葵” 可以為您帶來櫻絮紛飛的浪漫意境。畢竟是出自詩人的手筆喔！起碼鼎鼎大名的Xavier Vignon, 喝完這酒在馬路中心載歌載舞。

Love Sakura Love Kyoto

At this time in previous years, I dare say that 5% of Hong Kong people would enjoy watching Sakura in Kyoto. It's a pity that this year we cannot go. To sooth yourself for missing Sakura, I have an idea. 

Located in Hyogo county, Tamba city, Nishiyama Winery was founded in 1842. It has been adhering to the traditional technique of combining water, rice, people, and generations of refined craftsmanship to make extremely harmonious sake. 

The third generation chief, Nishiyama Hakuun and his younger brother Hakugatsu both loved poetry and art. Hakugatsu published his poems under the author name as Nomura; they were the ambassadors of the Azalea style poems. The brothers had the reputation of "The Nishiyama Duo", and they are good friends of the famous poet, Takahama Kyoshi, of their time. On the occasion of a Sake and Zen party, Takahama improvised the inscription "Little Drum", because "Little Drum" is the same as "here" in Japanese, and the name of the sake "Little Drum" means that here is good wine. His calligraphy is still exhibited in the winery. 

“Flowers on the road “is quoted from a Japanese Zen master. "There are flowers on the road and wine." It means that even a simple flower can move and enlighten people. 

The design of package is a creation of the famous artist Miankan Hiroshi, which is permeated with existentialism. 

Sake is not my specialty. The first time I drank it in Macau with Xavier Vignon, everyone was amazed. I couldn't find it on the Hong Kong and Macao market since my first tasting.  My friend brought me some from Japan. Later I realized why such good Sake is not seen, most likely because of the short shelf life and the need to refrigerate it like white wine. General liquor store, ryokan and Japanese food stores usually do not have electronic wine cellars. 

Hakuun concocts “Little Drum” series specially for Sakura viewing. It is recommended to drink when freshly brewed, so in order to keep it fresh, the winery makes this Sake throughout the year. This series include "Peach Blossom" and "Black Peony". Peach blossoms are lighter and should be served before meals. Powerful "Black Peony" is made from "Tajima Goriki" rice varietal that was once extinct. The Nishiyama family contributed to the conservation of this rice, because they are pretty well-off landlords in Hyogo county, they have the resources to support the conservation. 

“Flowers On the road. Little Drum. Aoi”, is made from indigenous top rice, 50% polished, plus local native yeast Ogawa No. 10, and the very soft Takeda River artesian water. Such water is pure, soft and faintly fragrant with a hint of peach blossom. 

The floral notes are overwhelming, especially the Sakura and Peony, and the pear and banana notes are elegant and subtle. The taste is warm and soft, and it slips into the throat for a long time. It is slim and delicate, and the aroma changes with temperature and oxidation degree, naturally balance and harmony. This is a fascinating bottle that can be enjoyed all night. 

Just like Hakuun comments: The “Little Drum” is not the wine you have to drink once in your life, but the wine you have to drink again in your life. 

Although you can't go to Japan for the picturesque falling Sakura, I hope that "Aoi" can bring you a romantic ambience. After all, it was made by the poet!  At least, renowned French wine maker Xavier Vignon, sang and danced in the centre of the road after drinking Aoi.

路上有花.小鼓.葵 純米大吟釀

NISHIYAMA JUNMAI DAIGINJYO ROJYOHANAARI "AOI" 720ml