Umeshu is a category of sake unto itself and a celebrated national drink in Japan. Umeshu is made from Japanese plums, or “ume,” which are the fruit of Japan. “Ume” are famously used to make “umeboshi,” pickled plums, which is a ubiquitous Japanese delicacy. Umeshu is such an integral part of Japanese culture that many Japanese make their own Umeshu by steeping ume in sake. Umeshu should not be confused with “plum wine,” which is usually made with generic, distilled spirit, instead of sake. Plum wine is almost always made with flavoring instead of fresh plums. Joto Umeshu is made in the traditional way, by macerating fresh ume in sake for months before blending again with sake to achieve the perfect balance.