A multi-faceted beverage, sake emerges from the shadows in consumer
Sake is also a good choice for anyone who wants to consciously reduce waste. While wine lasts for two to three days after opening, sake can be enjoyed for up to two weeks if stored in a cool, dark place. This gives people longer to enjoy a bottle, avoiding waste. Harmonious on the Palate When it comes to food pairings, sake is the ultimate companion for seafood. Whereas the sulphites that can be found in wine can degrade fatty acids in some fish, causing undesirable tastes, sake does not have this problem. That said, look beyond sushi and Japanese dishes. A delicate ginjo sake contributes an aromatic elegance to the silky mouthfeel of seared scallops, while a traditionally produced kimoto sake will accompany a schnitzel perfectly. Try tasting sakes at varying temperatures for added versatility. For example, serve junmai sake chilled with a crisp Caesar salad. Then enjoy it at room temperature with a pastrami sandwich. Warm it a touch, and experience how it elevates the umami of eggplant parmesan. Same sake, different experiences.
popularity. And for good reason.
Sake is making a splash in restaurants and bars and on tasting menus globally, favoured by a new generation of sommeliers, beverage influencers and collectors. Consumers around the world, too, are reaching for conscious consumption choices that also offer versatility. Sake emerges as a solution. Lighter on Alcohol & the Planet A new generation of conscious cocktail consumers is opting for lower alcohol levels in their glass. At a standard 15 to 17 percent ABV, sake is much lighter than spirits yet mixes well. For those who prefer wine, the fact that sake has no sulphites is another advantage. People who are sensitive to sulphites find sake, with its lower ABV, an easy switch from wine. New to Sake Beginners could start with a versatile honjozo sake. Made with rice that is polished less than in other grades of sake, honjozo is robust, with good acidity and mouthwatering umami that offers a spectrum of pairing options. Enjoy it with a grilled cheese sandwich, beef stroganoff or even a spinach salad. Another must-try is a nigori sake, often referred to as a cloudy sake, for the unfermented rice particles suspended in it. Served with starchy or creamy foods, it defines comfort food to perfection. Great with spanakopita, risotto or cacio e pepe (a pasta with pecorino Romano and black pepper).
Ready for a Sake? Now that we’ve established the possibilities for sake, here are some recommendations to get acquainted with the various options.
Hakutsuru Sayuri Nigori Sake $10.79 Japan 613760 300 ml Off-dry and creamy, this nigori glides on the palate with notes of banana, melon and yogurt, with a burst of cherry blossoms on the nose. Yoshi No Gawa
Brewmaster’s Choice Premium Honjozo Sake $25.99 Japan 27998 720 ml
This honest-to-goodness honjozo presents a dry palate with distinct umami notes of mushrooms delivered over a crisp, clean finish, in classic Niigata tanrei karakuchi style.
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