Traditions
-
Noriyoshi Nagai’s Sake Empire
“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it” Confucius Sake, the potent confluence of spring-fed water and grains of rice, has been an integral part of Japanese society, and Noriyoshi Nagai’s family tradition for six generations. “It is a historical beverage consisting of rice and water; it is not just a business, everything I produce are like my children,” Nagai said. Nestled in a valley among the snowcapped Mount Hotaka range, Kawaba village (Gunma prefecture) is a postcard-perfect setting. Lush green foliage, crisp cool air and the clear spring water flowing down the streams, which Nagai recalls, became the source of inspiration for his ancestor Shoji Nagai, who founded the…
-
Easter Sake Pairings
Spring is in full bloom and Easter is just around the corner. We’ve gathered a few of our favorite Easter pairing suggestions to help get you ready for the holiday. Don’t miss discovering which sake pairs best with your favorite Easter treats below. Tozai Snow Maiden Sake Flavors of honeydew melon, raw pumpkin, and radish. Creamy texture and full body. Try paired with a white chocolate bunny. Fukucho Moon on the Water Sake A fruity nose of lime and melon with bold hints of fennel, white pepper and allspice. Try paired with dark chocolate eggs. Mana 1751 True Vision An aromatic and expressive yamahai with notes of tart yogurt, mushroom, honey, banana…
-
Kanpai to World Sake Day!
Pour a glass for a friend & celebrate World Sake Day on October 1st! We can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with delicious foods paired with premium Japanese sake. About World Sake Day World Sake Day or “Nihonshu no Hi” is a significant day on the Japanese calendar. The celebrations are held annually on October 1st as the beginning of the 10th month signifies sake’s ‘New Year’s Day.’ This tradition started in 1978 and has become a day that Japanese people look forward to because it not only recognizes sake and its contributions to Japanese culture, but commemorates its history and numerous skilled brewers. World Sake Day…
-
Winners of the 2014 Fine Sake Awards Japan
The 2014 Fine Sake Awards Japan awarded 26 Grand Gold Medals and 125 Gold Medals to the most outstanding sakes made in Japan this year. The Fine Sake Awards Japan does not solely focus on assessing the quality of sake. This blind tasting competition is supported by sake evangelists and other specialists who recognize the popularity of sake and its culture and are dedicated to spreading the wonders of sake. This event, inaugurated in 2011, has become one of the biggest sake competitions in Japan with about 200 breweries nationwide handing in some 300 items in total. The judges received 492 entries from the record-high number of 227 breweries in the…
-
Pour Some Sake in your Wineglass
Over the years, Japanese cuisine, particularly sushi, has continued to gain popularity all across the globe. As a part of the Japanese cuisine traditions, sake has been introduced to many foreign cultures and diets, which resulted in inventions like new combinations of sake and food. However it seems the best finding in sake’s introduction to the world was the advantage of drinking sake from a wineglass instead of a traditional small cup. A wineglass helps share the subtle aroma, colors, and viscosity of sake which are more difficult to fully recognize in traditional sake vessels. Many Japanese were amazed to know that a glass of sake, in some cases, tasted more graceful than a small cup…
