March 2009 Sake 101 at Astor Center!
Last Tuesday was my latest class at Astor Center, teaching the “Elements of Sake” Class. It was a blast!
The class was sold out and I was lucky to find myself in front of a room of students anxious to learn more about sake! My goal at each “Elements of Sake” class is to provide a survey of the basic classifications of sake. I know not every student will love each and every selection, but they will come closer to knowing what they do like and don’t like as far as the range of sake tastes go. This is very important to make good decisions about buying sake in the future. You’ve got to know what you like!
With a basic survey in mind, These are the 7 sakes that I chose for our most recent class:
- Urakasumi Junmai: This is a classic example of a Junmaishu. Firm, full bodied and full rice in the nose.
- Kubota Senju Honjozo: Fuller in flavor and bolder, this honjozo is a touch on the dry side with a real food friendly vibe.
- Ohyama Tokubetsu Junmai: A lighter style of junmai, this sake is clean and food friendly with just a hint of creaminess.
- Dassai 50 Junmai Ginjo: Light, balanced, clean and easy drinking, this sake is a star.
- Dassai 50 Junmai Ginjo Nigori : The story here is all about texture and the light sweetness conveyed by the rice solids left in this nigori.
- Kamikokoro Toukagen Shiboritate Junmai Nama Genshu Tokubetsu: On the sweet side and fruity, this is a very, very, very easy to drink sake.
- Taiheizan Tenko Junmai Daiginjo: This sake comes across to me as fantastically light, yet aromatic and is really one smoooooth operator.
If you want to join us for the next session, don’t hesitate to check out all the details for our April 29th Elements of Sake class. I look forward to seeing you then!
