In the suburb of Arles, in the south of France, is the Camargue, the main rice growing region of France.
Kamoshibito Kuheiji very influenced by the approach of the terroirs, and having a vineyard in Burgundy, set itself the challenge of working with rice from another origin.
Since 2016, in partnership with French rice farmers, they have been producing rice each year to be transformed into sake in Japan.
Rice is cultivated according to the rules of organic farming, respecting the crop rotation cycles.
In fact, the main problems in the Camargue rice fields are the salt concentration of the soils and the pressure of weeds. To overcome these two constraints, rice farmers are carrying out rotations of dry and flooded crops.
Worked using the same methods as its Japanese cousins, the sake obtained illustrates the central role of the variety of rice involved.
Unquestionably the minerality of the soil is found in this sapid and powerful cuvée. The sugars blend delicately with the notes of cereals and dry straw.
Very expressive, it reaches its peak faster than sakés from Japanese varieties, however a six month aging period is the minimum.