Sake Class is in Session

Tourists flock to Temecula, Sonoma, Napa and beyond eager to learn, taste and explore new wines, wineries and wine-making regions. In my recent travels and in my own wine shop consumers have shown an increased demand for knowledge of Sake. U.S. consumption has grown dramatically along with the continually rise of Sushi restaurants that are popping up everywhere. This column is dedicated to giving you a quick tutorial on the basics of Sake.

While Sake is not necessarily a wine, rather a beverage brewed from fermented rice, it is still consumed much like a wine. The basis of all good Sake starts with the quality of the rice. There are nine basic types of rice used in the production of Sake. Each type will offer different characteristics and flavors to the finished product. The Junmai classification is given to Sake produced using only rice, koji (steamed rice) and water. This is then broken down into two other designations, the first is Ginjo which means the rice is polished to 60% or less of its original weight. The second, Daiginjo is for rice polished to 50% or less of its original weight. Nigori is for Sake that has not been filtered, leaving white sediment at the bottom of the bottle, this Sake will appear cloudy when served. Keep in mind these terms do not guarantee quality, only a guideline for consumer information. Most of these Sake are enjoyed best when slightly chilled. This is also left to personal taste. While Sake is often the preferred accompaniment to Sushi, they can also be enjoyed with vegetables, fish, or try it with your favorite spicy dish.

Sayuri Nigori Sake 300ml $5.99 (Japan)
Using only selected rice and rice koji, "SAYURI" is brewed up carefully with the natural water of Rokko. It has a refreshing aroma, natural sweetness and smooth aftertaste.

Rihaku Nigori Sake “Dreamy Clouds” Tokubetsu Junmai 300ml $14.99 (Japan)
Aromas of rice and ripe red plums. Bright, mouthwatering acidity leads into a soft and chewy texture from the unfiltered rice particles. The rice flavor is joined by gently nutty and slightly fruity flavors in the long finish.

Sato No Homare “Pride of the Village” Junmai Ginjo 300ml $21.99 (Japan)
An elegant, super-premium sake. A pleasingly light and fruity nose, laced with violets, strawberries, pear and grape. A refined and clear flavor, yet settled and deep. Semi-dry with a superbly clean finish.

Ichinokura Junmai “Himezen” Sake 500ml $21.99 (Japan)
Light and smooth type. New type of sake with low alcohol (8%). Complex aroma. Clean acidic flavor of citrus fruits with crisp refreshing finish.

Harushika “Tokimeki” Sake Happo Junmai Sparkling Sake 300ml $12.99 (Japan)
Sparkling sake is the newest craze to hit America, a refreshing alternative to beer or wine. The bubbles are a natural product of alcoholic fermentation, but, until very recently, the carbonation was always allowed to escape. Sparkling Harushika Tokimeki is unfiltered, opalescent in the glass. Bright, fruity aromas of lemon curd and yogurt smoothies prepare the palate for lively summer flavors of cantaloupe, poached pears and crème fraiche. Its whisper of sweetness and understated effervescence are pleasing as either an aperitif or as a food partner.

Horin Gekkeikan Junmai Daiginjo Sake 720ml $31.99 (Japan)
Using select rice polished to 50% of its original size, this ultra-premium "Junmai Daiginjo" sake is slowly fermented at low temperatures to give it a refreshing fruit like aroma and mild flavor. Enjoy chilled or room temperature.

Wakatake Daiginjo “Onikoroshi” Sake 720ml $39.99 (Japan)
Flavorful type. Beautifully round and alluring sake with a silky texture. Deep taste and slight sweetness stemming from elegant, fruity aromas and superb acidity. Serve chilled.

Takasago Ginga Shizuku Divine Droplets Junmai Daiginjo 720ml $64.99 (Japan)
This sake is drip-pressed (shizuku), a rarity by itself, and it is the only sake in the world drip-pressed in an ice igloo which is rebuilt every year outside the main brewery building in Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. Spice, minerality, and banana skin dominate the aroma profile of this shizuku- pressed sake. Medium-bodied with a clean impact, the flavors run the gamut of a well-crafted Junmai-Daiginjo- melons, herbs, vanilla essence and concentrated mineral flavors that keep the sake focused well into its long, ethereal finish. Truly one of the 'Rolls-Royces' of sake.