O-Sake o kudasia

I had the good fortune to attend a lecture last year by renowned Sake expert John Gauntner, author of the canonical "The Sake Handbook".

Mr. Gaunter is erudite and accessible, whether discussing technical processes like multiple parallel fermentation or explaining the confusing terminology of Sake classification. His site http://www.sake-world.com/ has about as much information as anyone can reasonably absorb without professional study, which he also offers through classes in Japan.

As with other types of alcohol, Sake's been impacted in recent decades by improvements in technology and distribution. The positive aspects are the general availability of subtle and diverse Sakes from around Japan, balanced by the negatives of market concentration in large producers.


I had a chance last year to visit a traditional kura in Chiba and taste their products. Making Sake the old fashioned way is so time consuming and experiential its difficult to see how small breweries in Japan's depopulated countryside can find a new generation to carry on the tradition.


Japan has many traditions of Sake consumption in social settings though I like this rude but funny poem from the 7th century.

"How ugly,
those who try to appear wise,
by not drinking sake,
they look like monkeys."

- Otomo no Tabito

No doubt this poetry was written while drinking Sake with friends and probably while scowling at a member of the party who wouldn't participate.