Enjoy fruity and fragrant sake served in beautiful Daiginjo glasses

The kitchen/dining department on the fifth floor of Isetan Shinjuku offers a variety of Riedel wine and beer glasses. Riedel is a prestigious Austrian company with a history of 260 years.

Riedel’s glasses are well regarded all over the world for bringing out the unique flavour of the beverages served in them. Combining the passion of Japanese sake brewers and the experience and technical skill of Riedel, these glasses were designed specifically for Daiginjo sake – one of the highest quality sakes in Japan.　

It all began with the desire of the well-established sake brewer Fukumitsuya to develop a glass capable of delivering the true deliciousness of sake. In response, the Riedel family came to Japan to taste and research sake. They learned that a slightly larger glass allows the aroma of the sake to spread – making it perfect for Daiginjo, which offers more of a flowery aroma and a clearer taste than other sakes.

Daiginjo sake was made by the passion of brewery workers. Only the most delicious parts of the rice are used, and the sake is given plenty of time to ferment. Two hundred brewers, experts and sake connoisseurs helped to narrow the sample down to 60 glasses. And then, after two years of development and feedback, the Daiginjo glass was perfected. The package contains the logos of the brewers who helped develop the product, as well as an expression of gratitude from Riedel.

Daiginjo glasses come in two varieties: Riedel Vinum (with a stem) and Riedel O (stemless). Both are designed to fit your hand comfortably, allowing you to truly enjoy your sake drink.

The Daiginjo glass is often compared with the glass type usually used to drink sake.

To maximise its fruity and fragrant aroma, pour chilled Daiginjo sake into a glass and swirl the sake around. The fruity flavour is then spread throughout the glass once it is exposed to the air.

Staff at the tasting counter can guide you to where Daiginjo and other sakes are found on the sales floor, and can provide you with expert product advice.

Truly a labour of love by many sake connoisseurs, Daiginjo glasses are unlike any other sake glass and bring out the true flavour of the Japanese drink.