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TastersGuildNY Discovering Handcrafted Artisanal Sake
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Tuesday July 14, 2009 |
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Speaker: Monica Samuels, Sake Ambassador, Southern Wines & Spirits
Dating from the dawn of history, the art of brewing Sake has been a Japanese tradition. Americans are beginning to realize what the Japanese have known all these years, that Sake is a wonderful beverage, either by itself or with food. While Nobu, Megu and Maturi restaurants carry a complete line of Sakes, what is less expected is that some of NY's best non-Japanese restaurants are jumping on the Sake bandwagon. Chanterelle offers a wide variety of Sake and matches Sake to at least one course on their famed tasting menu. Monica Samuels, a well known Sake Ambassador, explained the origins of Sake and how Sake was brewed from rice and water, like beer. She discussed the classification, region, tasting notes, and suggested food pairings for each Sake. Toyo Bijin Ohkarakuchi was the Flight I favorite Sake, Crazy Milk and Saika Plum Sake tied for favorite Specialty Sake. Everyone was delighted by the differences in the Sakes and how well they would pair with different foods.
Everyone complemented our pairing of Cabot Horseradish Cheddar with the Sakes.
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| Flight I: Sake |
Votes |
Full Retail Price $ |
Azumaichi Junmai
Junmai Sake is made from rice that has been milled down to at least 70% of its original size.
It is full-flavored, clean, and well-structured. Clear white. 15% alcohol. Pure rice sake. Rich, earthiness.
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1 |
$25.00 |
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Azumaichi Junmai Ginjo
51% polished. Bright color with an earthy and balanced taste, and a soothing fragrance. Fruity, strawberries, juicy. |
0 |
$35.00 |
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Azumaichi Junmai Daiginjo
Drip pressing - No pressure is applied to bags of fermenting mash. They are suspended to allow the sake to drip out on its own. Sake stored in 18-liter bottles.
When chilled, this sake has a fruity, tropical fragrance with an earthy flavor. At room temperature, its fine aroma stands out clearly, as does its silky texture, balanced nuances, and full-bodied rice flavor. 65% polished. Elegant.
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2 |
$60.00 |
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Toyo Bijin Ohkarakuchi
Dry Sake. Licorice aroma. The favorite of this flight. |
7 |
$20.00 |
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Hojyun Biden Yamahai Junmai
Hojyun has a small amount of distilled alcohol added at the end of the brewing process to enliven the flavors and aromas of the sake. Dark color. Roasted nut. Rich. Long length. Long brewing period. Light, mildly fragrant, and easy to drink.
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1 |
$25.00 |
| Flight II: Specialty Sake |
Votes |
Full Retail Price $ |
Crazy Milk -Nigori
Milky. Unfiltered. Smooth and Creamy. Sweet and rich. Tied for favorite of this flight.
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4 |
$9.00 - 10.00 |
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Jokigen Sweet Dream
35% rice polished. Amber color. Riesling style, green apple aromas and flavors. Sweeter but not cloying. It would pair well with Thai food. |
1 |
$16.00 |
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Moon Rabbit
Sparkling. Milky murky color but light and delicate. |
2 |
$10.00 - 11.00 |
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Katsuyama Genroku
Deep amber color. 3 year old aged Sake. Big nose, roasted nuts, chocolate. |
2 |
$65.00 |
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Saika Plum Sake
Plum aroma, sweet, Japanese plums added. Light and delicious. Tied for favorite of this flight.
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4 |
$16.00 |
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