Seasonal Sake Tasting - Autumn

Japan is famous for its four distinct seasons, which influence all aspects of life. Autumn is called the ‘season of appetite’ and is one of the most anticipated times of the year, with the harvest bringing in a bounty of seasonal ingredients – and some very special sakes for eager drinkers to pair them with! One of the most famous fall styles is called “hiyaoroshi”: sake that is brewed in the depths of winter, then left to mature all through spring and summer after being temperature stabilized only once (instead of the usual two times) so that it develops deep flavour but still retains the zingy freshness of fresh-pressed sake. These limited-edition releases are highly anticipated by sake fans, with a fervour similar to Beaujoulais Nouveaux in the wine world. Only a handful of these special bottles make it the UK each year, but our sake tutor Sarah has secured some exclusive selections from overseas to show you the full range of hiyaoroshi and the other seasonal fall sake styles.

This class will be great for everyone from sake novices to aficionados, and includes a tutored tasting of six sake and a presentation covering autumn seasonality in Japan and the unique aspects of sake enjoyment at this time of year.

On the evening you will taste the following six fall sake which cover across a variety of styles and are accompanied by fine cheeses and Japanese-influenced nibbles including a handmade seasonal Japanese sweet.

• Tsukasabotan "Senchu Hassaku" Tokubetsu Junmai Karakuchi Genshu Hiyaoroshi (Kochi Prefecture)
• Wakatake "Oniotome Sachi” Tokubetsu Junmai Hiyaoroshi (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Harushika Junmai Ginjo Hiyaoroshi (Nara Prefecture)
• Shirataki Jozen "Mizuno Gotoshi" Junmai Ginjo Hiyaoroshi Namazume (Niigata Prefecture)
• Denshin “Aki” Junmai Nama Genshu (Fukui Prefecture)
• Mantensei "Kinoko" Junmai Ginjo (Tottori Prefecture)