1.
fine wine; fine sake; excellent liquor
High-quality alcoholic beverage, especially sake or wine. Often used figuratively to describe the sweet taste of victory or success.
Compound of 美 (beautiful, fine) + 酒 (sake, liquor).
Common collocations
- 勝利の美酒 (the sweet taste of victory)
- 美酒に酔う (to savor fine sake; to revel in success)
- 美酒を味わう (to taste fine sake; to enjoy a sweet victory)
Usage
The figurative expression 勝利の美酒に酔う is extremely common in sports journalism and news. In literal use, 美酒 is a somewhat literary way to praise the quality of sake or wine.