Masumi Sake Events in New York City!

Masumi ArabashiriWhen I was a little kid, I knew Easter and the promise of Spring was on it’s way whenever I saw those Cadbury bunny chocolate eggs start to appear in the supermarket. I would also totally get a tummy ache from always eating too many, but despite this small roadblock, I still looked [...]

VOS Selections features Prestige Sakes

As a part of their 2010 Grand Portfolio Tasting, I attended a wonderful sake lecture by Kazu Yamazaki of Prestige Sakes. Kazu and Mariko Yamazaki work tirelessly to promote sake and introduce their wonderful Prestige Sakes to the US. Kazu-san’s fun lecture was focused on the “grand cru” of sakes… Daiginjos and Junmai [...]

Kuramoto US Sake Promotion Event

A Sake Industry promotion company called “Kuramoto US” recently put on a sake tasting event at the fantastic Kitano Hotel. Twelve Sake breweries were featured at the tasting, many bringing their precious and fresh Namazake for us to try. That delicious Namazake was really a highlight – but several were only for this [...]

Sake 101 at The International Restaurant Show

In March the International Restaurant Show was held at the Javitz Center. This year a large Japanese pavilion was featured and I was lucky to be asked to speak at the event. I held a Sake 101 lecture and spoke alongside Monica Samuels and Yukari Sakamoto.
This was a fun event and I was [...]

Washoku -Try Japan’s Good Food (and Sake!)

With Ambassador & Mrs. NishimiyaThe Consulate General of Japan in New York recently hosted a reception at the Ambassador’s official residence to promote the “Washoku -; Try Japan’s Good Food” campaign.
On a very snowy afternoon in February, press, chefs and guests were assembled to learn about the good food (and sake!!!) of Japan. [...]

Kubota Night at Sakagura

After my fun Kubota Adventure at Decibel, I didn’t want to miss the Kubota event at Sakagura!

This time I was in for one of my new favorite sakes…Senshin Junmai Daiginjo!! Today, Sanjo-san, visiting from the brewery that makes Kubota, was serving a special and beautifully presented Kubota Junmai Daiginjo set. This set included Kubota Manju Junmai Daiginjo, Tokugetsu Junmai Daiginjo, and last but not least Senshin Junmai Daiginjo.

Kubota Sake Tasting at Decibel

In early February, on the night of one of our awful winter storms this year, I trekked over to Decibel to attend a fantastic Kubota event. They weather was storming, but I followed by Sake Samurai Motto:

Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays the sake samurai from the swift attendance of their appointed sake tastings.

Akira Organic Sake in New York!

I was lucky enough to attend some wonderful and cutting edge sake events this past week. What makes them cutting edge? One word: Organic.

Upcoming Kubota Sake Events in NYC

Kubota is coming to town!

One of the most famous premium sake brands in all of Japan, “Kubota” has two fantastic sake events scheduled for this week! If you can make it, I think they will be fantastic! Mr. Sanjo from the Brewery will be a special guest at both events and able to answer questions and help introduce you Kubota.

Don’t miss these events

Sake Dictionary Iphone App

Sake Super-Sensei John Gauntner has come out with his first Iphone app – it’s a version of his valuable sake dictionary that you can carry without at all times now on your Iphone. This is surely to be a much loved app for every sake fan out there.

Japanese Culinary Center Sake Tasting

Sake Sensei George Kao recently taught a fun Sake 101 class with a twist at the beautiful Japanese Culinary Center. The twist? George incorporated a blind tasting contest into the event. It made for a fun and exciting showdown for everyone attending!

Organic Akira Sake Events in NYC

There are several upcoming sake events in NYC that introduce the exciting new AKIRA brand of organic junmai sake from Ishikawa prefecture. This sake is not yet for sale in the US market, so this is a very RARE chance to try this delicious organic sake rice made into a beautiful sake!

Urban Sake + Japanese Language = Fun Time!

UrbanSake.com and Jon Hills from Hills Learning Japanese Language School co-sponsored a fun Sake 101 and Japanese Language 101 class held at ONYA udon noodle resturant.

2009 Golden Masu Awards

For me personally, I’ll look back on 2009 as a year with some struggles, some fun and some really great sake! …And, at least for me, sake helps with both struggles and with fun.

It’s the time of year again when we salute some of the best sakes of the year… Just like the Oscars with lots more sake and a lot less movie stars. This year’s list of winners runs the gamut from honjozo to cup sake to the finest junmai daiginjo. All of it delicious in it’s own special and unique way.

Explosive Great Taste for New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve is about as loaded a holiday as you can get. All the pressure to be at the perfect party with that special someone at the stroke of midnight toasting with a glistening flute of the best champagne. And the New Year’s Resolutions – Don’t get me started on that subject.

New Kid on the Block: Kanoyama Sake Bar

IF you live in New York City and you love sushi, chances are very high you’ve discovered Kanoyama Sushi Restaurant. Scott introduced me to this place on Superbowl Sunday several years ago. As you may know, this is the one evening of the year when you can really have your pick of restaurants. While the world was enjoying the Superbowl halftime show, I was enjoying the spectacular sushi.

2009 Fall Akita Sake Tasting

If you can count on one thing, I would say it’s that the folks involved with the Akita Sake Club know how to throw a sake party! It’s that time of year again, and I was lucky enough to snag an ticket to the wonderful and fun Akita Sake Club sake tasting!
This time around, [...]

Japanese Sake Makes Debut in British Parliament

I saw this great news tidbit on Kyodo News and found this fantastic! I wonder if sake has been served in the White House yet? prolly has! I’m especially excited as this story features Koichi Saura from Sake Samurai and Urakasumi fame! Yea Saura-san!
Via Kyodo News:

Japanese sake makes debut in British parliament
Saura-san
Koichi Saura [...]

Naraman Sake Tasting at Sake Hana

When Sake Hana talks, people listen! or at least rabid sake fans listen. I was happy to be on the Sake Hana email list to get a notice about a special event being held in their little sake hideaway.
Scott, Chizuko-san and I made our reservations for a special event: Naraman Muroka sake at different [...]

Fall 2009 Wine of Japan Sake Tasting

The good sake times keep rollin’ people! What is it about the Fall that delivers so many wonderful sake-rific events?! Must be the start of the sake brewing season that gets everyone’s sake mojo flowing and the events underway.
I’m all for sake mojo so let’s take a look at my latest tasting adventure [...]