Sake meter value (SMV)

Sake meter value (SMV, or Nihonshudo) is an indicator of the sweetness or dryness of sake, determined mainly by the specific gravity of the sake. The figure reflects the balance between sugar and alcohol contained in the sake. In general, a negative SMV indicates a sweeter sake, while a positive value indicates a drier one. Specifically, the more sugar a sake contains, the heavier its specific gravity and the more negative its SMV. Conversely, a higher alcohol content makes the specific gravity lighter, giving a positive SMV. SMV is measured with the sake at 15°C. Water is taken as the baseline of 0; a sake heavier than water is given a negative value, and one lighter than water is given a positive value. For this reason, SMV is only a rough guide to sweetness and dryness, and the actual taste is also strongly influenced by other components such as aroma, acidity, and amino acids. A high SMV therefore does not necessarily mean the sake will taste dry. When enjoying sake, it is best to use this figure as a reference while also experiencing the actual flavor for yourself.