Traditional Japanese sake tries to become more like wine

HAMAMATSU, Japan -- A novel sake aged in wooden casks, giving off sweet aromas and carrying an untraditional tint has a lot riding on it.

Doi Brewery, which calls the Shizuoka prefectural city of Kakegawa home and is celebrating its 150th year in business, hopes these traits will appeal to drinkers of Western liquors and stem sake's declining popularity at home.