Drink of the Week: Hou Hou Shu Sparkling Saké

It’s our last Drink of the Week of 2010, and we’re wrapping up the year with a pop and some fizz—the Hou Hou Shu sparkling saké from the Marumoto Saké Brewery. Referred to in Japan as “happo-shu,” sparkling saké gets its carbonation by going through a secondary fermentation in the bottle, similar to the method used to produce Champagne, and it’s a fun and unexpected way to ring in the New Year. This particular sparkling saké is rich and creamy, but a low alcohol level and balanced acidity help keep the sweetness in check. Plus, it’s among the most widely available sparkling sakés on the market, so finding a bottle or two won’t be any trouble. Keeping enough of it around to toast the New Year, though, may be a different story. $9/180 ml., klwines.com