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The votes have been tallied from the Second Annual California Sake Challenge held at the Mutual Trading’s Restaurant Show ! Over 145 visitors were at the Jizake Pavilion to blind taste 11 premium Jizake from Japan to vote for sake best suited for Southern California. Top breweries from Japan themselves took on this challenge to specially craft Jizake that they thought would best suit the foods, the weather, and the lifestyles of Southern California.
While last year’s theme transported tasters to a terrace overlooking the vast view of the Pacific Ocean while being caressed by calm gentle breeze, this year, the challengers were asked to experience a different side of California: the perfect So-Cal evening, “The Night of Living Kaleidoscope".
Here are the results:
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Morning Session: Bold, Full-Bodied Junmai Shu Challenge
First Place: SETSUGORO GENROKUSHU by Niigata Prefecture’s Kikusui Brewery
- a sweet brew, with flavors recreated from popular sake brewed 300 years ago.
Second Place: NAGARAGAWA JUNMAI by Omachi Brewery in Gifu Prefecture
Third Place: JUNMAISHU YUKI HIMURO byTakasago Brewery in Hokkaido
Afternoon Session: Fine, Aromatic Premium Junmai Ginjo/Daiginjo Challenge
First Place: EIKOH JUNMAI DAIGINJO 50 by Ehime Prefecture's Eikoh Brewery
- mellow yet full-bodied flavor and rich aroma of roasted pineapple with a hint banana.
Second Place: DASSAI 39 JUNMAI DAIGINJO by Asahi Brewery in Yamaguchi Prefecture
Third Place: BORN TOKUSEN JUNMAI DAIGINJO by KatoKichibee Shoten in Fukui Prefecture
These results, voted in by industry professionals, clearly reflect a definite preference away from the dry and light type popularized in Japan as “Tanrei Karakuchi". The new buzz word is “Hojun Umakuchi", one that’s mellow-smooth, a complex-Umami flavored sake that’s satisfying to drink.
Please look forward to California Sake Challenge #3 in the fall of 2010.
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