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  • Spencer B.

Vinocopia's Soju and Sake

Hanjan Soju | Damso Soju | Kaga Sake


Hanjan Korean Soju

Hanjan Korean Soju in a field of flowers
Hanjan Mandarin Orange

Hanjan is a brand of Korean Soju, but what exactly is Soju? Soju is a Korean spirit that was traditionally distilled from rice, but can also be made using grapes, wheat, or in the case of Hanjan, apples. The spirit typically ranges from 10-20% alcohol by volume so it is more mild than something like Vodka which it is often compared to. Soju not only has less of a burn than a spirit like vodka, but it is naturally a little more sweet as well.


Hanjan Korean Soju on a log
Hanjan Korean Soju (Americano flavor)

Hanjan Soju is a Korean apple fortified wine. The apples are fermented and turned into the apple wine base that makes Hanjan. These wines have a mild apple scent and a tender, delicate taste. No ethyl alcohol is used, only apple wine and wine distilled liquor. The apples of Korea are grown under Korea's natural climate conditions, which provide the perfect yield for apple wine. Sweetness & sourness are well balanced. Hanjan is charcoal filtered to refresh and invigorate with a smooth, clean taste.


Hanjan Korean Soju in Mandarin Orange
Hanjan Korean Soju in Mandarin Orange

Korean Soju is said to be the most popular spirit in Korea for years, and it has been steadily gaining popularity in the United States over the last few years. Korean Soju is sure to be a new favorite for your next picnic, barbeque, or pool party! Hanjan Soju is distributed by Vinocopia throughout Minnesota, and is a staple of both on-premise and off-premise accounts. Check it out on your next dinner date, or at a liquor store near you!


(Hanjan Korean Soju is available from Vinocopia in the following flavors: Original, Apple, Peach, Mandarin Orange, Americano Coffee, Ginger, Grape, and Strawberry).


 

Damso Distilled Soju


Damso is another type of Korean Soju. Damso is made in a differently than Hanjan which is a fortified apple wine. Damso is instead created by distilling a neutral spirit and infusing it with natural flavors that entice and tantalize the senses. Damso (as well as Hanjan) comes in at 12% alcohol by volume which makes it the perfect beverage to drink on its own, or to pair with a nice citrus salad, or your favorite delicate chicken roast.


Damso Lychee Soju
Damso Lychee Soju

This masterfully crafted soju will quickly become a new favorite edition to your liquor cabinet or for your next night out. Damso Korean Soju is distributed across the state of Minnesota by Vinocopia, and is available in four flavors: Original, Lychee, Blueberry, and Watermelon.


Hanjan and Damso together at last
Damso Lychee Soju and Hanjan Strawberry Soju

 

Kaga Sake


Japanese Sake at a Japanese Garden
Kaga Sake

Sake. The famous Japanese drink known and loved in Japan, and by your cousin Mike who is a self proclaimed expert on foreign culture. We've all heard of it, and seen it at the liquor store... but what exactly is Sake?


Sake at its most basic is made from water and rice, with the help of yeast and koji spores. Koji spores are dusted onto rice in order to convert the starches from the rice into sugar, then the yeast consumes this sugar and turns it into alcohol.


Infographic of what sake is made up of
Sake diagram

Another important thing to know is that there are two types of Sake that are made in different ways (depicted in the chart below). Junmai Sake is sake that is made solely from rice, as described above. The word jumai translates to 'pure rice' meaning there is no distilled alcohol added in the production of Junmai Sake. All other types of Sake that do not include 'Junmai' in the name have distilled alcohol added during the production process.


Types of Japanese Sake
Types of Sake

The numbers in the middle of the chart above indicate the rice polishing ratio of different types of Sake. The rice polishing ratio shows how much of the surface of the brown rice used in production is polished away. A lower percentage indicates a sake made from a more highly polished rice, which makes for a higher quality Sake. Jumai Daiginjyo, therefore, is often regarded as the most premium grade of Sake, made from highly polished rice.


Kaga Japanese Sake
Kaga Sake

Vinocopia distributes a wide variety of Sake throughout Minnesota. Each one is sure to delight and amaze you with their brilliant aromas and flavors.


Junmai Sake
Kaga Junmai Sake

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