Sake Post Archives - Page 3 of 7 - 杉玉 Sugidama: Sake blog

How a Travel Company Opened a Sake Store in London: Interview HIS Japan Premium

Post author:Alex
Post published:March 14, 2022
Post category:Podcast Sake Post
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This episode wasn't planned initially. I was going to write a short article about HIS Japan Premium, a new Japanese grocery and sake shop recently opened by a large Japanese travel company in Central London. However, the conversation with John Opondo, who is Managing Director of HIS Europe and Masahiro Tsuji, HIS Business Development Manager, turned out so interesting that I decided that I am not going to waste the great material and turned it into a podcast episode. Unfortunately, the sound quality is not that great, which I hope is compensated by John's optimism and charisma. Enjoy! Also please note that I am going to be at HIS Japan Premium on March 31 at Nomikai: Japanese Sake Experience Event. The link to Eventbrite where you can get tickets is in the episode show notes. I hope to see some of my listeners at the event! Kampai!

5 great sparkling sake for the festive season!

Post author:Alex
Post published:December 23, 2021
Post category:Sake Post Sake Review
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Following my article about sparkling sake, I decided to follow it with 5 quick recommendations for sparkling sake available outside Japan. I think that the selection of sparkling sake has massively improved in recent years. You can choose between sweeter and drier variants, have more affordable or luxury brands and enjoy sparkling sake on its own or with a variety of dishes. Spark your New Year party with something different and have a bottle of sparkling sake!

Sparkling sake: gimmick or real stuff?

Post author:Alex
Post published:December 13, 2021
Post category:Sake Post
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It's New Year/Christmas time and a very good excuse to try sparkling sake. Make a surprise and bring a bottle to your party (well if we can still have New Year parties) or just to your own Christmas/New Year Eve table and toast the new 2022 with a glass of sparkling sake!

Read more about the article 5 great sake to drink warm <p>Kanzake Time Follow-Up!</p>

5 great sake to drink warm
Kanzake Time Follow-Up!

Post author:Alex
Post published:December 7, 2021
Post category:Sake Post Sake Review
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Following the article about kanzake, I present five recommendations for the sake which are great to drink warm or even hot. In addition, I am including a special TSUKI kijoshu sake from the Kanpai London brewery, which has just been released. I think that the fact that you can drink sake at different temperatures makes this drink really unique. You can follow my recommendations or try any other sake warm during these cold winter months. Let me know if you like it and what other sake you tried hot. Kanpai!

Kanzake Time! The joys of warm sake

Post author:Alex
Post published:October 21, 2021
Post category:Sake Post
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The Season of Warm Sake Autumn has just appeared on my doorsteps like a temperamental distant relative, who dropped by for an evening but stayed for weeks. One day is…

5 Sake to drink in Summer 2021

Post author:Alex
Post published:July 16, 2021
Post category:Sake Post Sake Review
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Summer requires summer sake. Everything is seasonal in Japan, and sake, the drink that counts 1000 years of history, is not an exception. However, summer sake is a relatively new concept and the term natsuzake (夏酒, summer sake) only appeared in 2007 coined by the Sake Service Institute (SSI) as a response to low demand for sake during the hot summer months in Japan. So I decided to look at the sake available here in the UK and came up with a list of 5 sake to drink in summer 2021.

One cup to rule them all: 5 single-serving sake to try

Post author:Alex
Post published:June 28, 2021
Post category:Sake Post Sake Review
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Single-serving sake is becoming more popular outside Japan. I have noticed that the choice now is much better than a couple of years ago. So I decided to write a review of the most popular 'one cup' sake. Enjoy and kampai!

Kamoizumi Red Maple Sake: Sashaying With Style, Flavour And Beauty

Post author:Jamie Ryder
Post published:February 15, 2021
Post category:Sake Post Sake Review
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We've got a new contributor, Jamie Ryder, sake sommelier and the owner of Yamato Magazine. I have reviewed Kamoizumi Red Maple last year in the post 5 great sake to enjoy this autumn. So now you can compare our tasting notes. Kampai!

Satomi Dosseur

How to order sake and other tips from Satomi Dosseur

Post author:Alex
Post published:February 10, 2021
Post category:Sake Post
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Phew, I have finally finished preparing the printed version of the interview with Satomi. It wasn't as easy as I initially thought. I have used an online service to transcribe the podcast episode. But then it took ages to edit the text. The clever online programme hasn't once recognised the word sake, writing it in million versions from second to soccer etc. But I have finally finished the edit. SO now everyone who would like to read the interview can do it. But it's worth to listen to the episode of the podcast with the interview to catch Satomi great personality and the relaxed atmosphere of our conversation!

Maruishi Nito ‘White Rabbit Label’ Yamadanishiki 65 junmai

Sweet meets sour: Maruishi Nito ‘White Rabbit Label’ Yamadanishiki 65 junmai

Post author:Jordan Smithcroft
Post published:February 6, 2021
Post category:Sake Post Sake Review
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Another excellent review from Jordan Smithcroft! White Rabbit stands as one of the most interesting and delicious junmai sake I’ve ever had the pleasure to taste. All the more impressive if one notes my general gravitation towards junmai, honjozo and futsushu. It’s the perfect choice for both junmai enthusiasts, looking for a twist on the well-established flavour and aroma characteristics of their favourite premium class, as well as those dedicated to the more typically fruity (junmai) ginjo grade, looking to ease themselves into exploring less polished nihonshu.

Alex

Alex is a London-based sake blogger, podcaster, IWC Sake judge and sake advocate. He is a publisher of the Sugidama Blog website and a host of the Sugidama Podcast. Alex has an International Kikisake-shi (Sake Specialist) qualification from SSI (Sake Service Institute). He sees his mission as expanding the awareness of Japanese sake among as many people as possible and helping the growing community of sake lovers to bring together beautiful Japanese sake and non-Japanese food as a way to build a better understanding between our cultures.

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