Understanding SMV: A Key To Choosing The Perfect Sake
Sake is a famous alcoholic drink made from rice in Japan that has become popular worldwide thanks to its unique tastes and brewing methods.
Sake is not made from fermenting fruit like wine or beer is, nor is it boiled. Instead, it belongs to a unique group that includes beer and wine but is still very different.
Because there are so many kinds of sake, it can be hard to tell the difference between the sweeter and the drier ones. One easy way to understand this is to learn how to read the Sake Meter Value (SMV), a number that tells you a lot about the taste of sake.
What is Sake Meter Value (SMV)?
The Sake Meter Value (SMV), also written as Nihonshudo in Japanese, tells you whether a sake is dry or sweet. SMV figures out how dense sake is compared to water by checking how much sugar and alcohol are still in the drink. Using this scale, you can quickly get a sense of a sake’s overall flavor before you even open the bottle.
How the SMV Scale Works:
The SMV scale starts at zero, which is the neutral point and the same as the density of water. They can then move into either the positive or negative range:
Positive Values: An SMV of positive means that the sake is dry. The sake is drier as the number goes up.
Negative Values: A sake with low SMV numbers is more likely to be sweet. It will taste better as the number decreases, so keep that in mind.
As an example:
SMV +5 or higher: This sake will taste dry, with almost no sugar left over.
SMV -5 or lower, this sake will taste sweet because it contains more sugar.
It’s essentail to remember that SMV doesn’t exist by itself; it works with other factors, like acidity and alcohol levels, to create the sake’s general taste and mouthfeel.
Why SMV is Important When Selecting Sake
The SMV is essential knowledge when picking a sake that suits your tastes. If you know how to read the SMV, you can find the right drink for you, whether you like something rich and sweet to drink after dinner or something crisp and dry to go with a meal.
If you’ve never tried sake before or like dry wines like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, an SMV sake might be a good place to start. This ensures a clean and dry finish. If you like sweet wines like Riesling or Moscato, you might be more interested in sake with negative SMV numbers.
How Acid Works in Sake
Even though the SMV tells you a lot about how dry or sweet the sake is, it’s also essential to think about how acidic it is. Acidity changes how you taste something.
Some sakes can taste neutral or less sweet even if their SMV is low (sweet). When it comes to sake, a dry sake with a high SMV might still feel fuller & better on the taste.
A sake with an SMV of -2 and a lot of acidity might taste more tart & less sweet than one with less acidity, even though they both have the same SMV. Knowing how pH and SMV work together can improve your sake-drinking experience.
Different Types of Sake and How SMV Fits In
Remember that sake categories and SMV numbers are not the same thing. Sake is usually broken up into several main groups based on how much of the outer layer of the rice is taken during polishing and whether extra brewer’s alcohol is added during brewing. Here are some common categories:
- No alcohol is added to junmai sake; it is just rice sake.
- Ginjo: Light and fragrant sake made from rice ground very finely.
- Daiginjo is a more expensive type with a higher amount of rice polishing. It is known for its mild, refined tastes.
Sake can be sweet or dry, regardless of the category, so the SMV is a useful tool for determining how the flavors in these categories work together.
How to Choose the Best Sake for You
- For People Who Like Dry Drinks: If you like crisp and dry drinks, look for sake with an SMV number of +3 to +10. These sakes go really well with fried fish, shrimp, or tempura.
- For Sweet Drinkers: A sake with an SMV number between -3 and -10 has a full-bodied, rich taste, perfect for people who like sweeter profiles. These sakes are great to drink after a meal or with cake.
Recommendations for Beginners
If you have never tried sake before, starting with a well-balanced drink is best. A sake with an acidity level below two and an SMV value between -5 and +5 has a balanced flavor that is neither too sweet nor too dry. You can pair these kinds of sake with many different foods or drink them alone.
After trying a balanced sake, experiment with sakes that have stronger flavors. Sakes with higher SMV values will taste dry, while sakes with lower SMV values will taste more mild. You’ll need to taste a variety of sakes to figure out your favorite.
Final Thoughts
It’s fun to drink sake, and knowing the SMV scale can help you find the best ones. Knowing the Sake Meter Value can help you choose a sake with just the right amount of sweet, dry, or somewhere in between. Once you know what the SMV and pH levels mean, it’s easier to match the right sake with the right food or event.
Start with a well-balanced sake and try different SMV ranges. Eventually, you’ll find the sake that you like best. I wish you luck in finding the right sake bottle!
