A Sake Tasting will take place at “Grapes: A Wine Store” in Hilo next Tuesday:

Date: November 10, 2009, 5:00p-8:00p.
Location: YBA Hall (Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin)
398 Kilauea Ave., Hilo, HI 96720
Parking: Enter via Sangha Hall and park on the Hamakua-side of the
parking lot. The YBA Hall is under the Hongwanji temple and
you enter the Hall from the Hamakua-side of the Sangha Hall
parking lot. Look for balloons at the entrance.
Tariff: Pre-payment of $20 per person to cover the cost of the rental,
insurance liability and food; you must be 21-years of age to attend
Reservations: To reserve your seat, please visit Grapes Tuesday-Saturday,
12:00 noon – 6:00p. Credit cards, cash or checks payable to
Grapes. Reservations must be done no later than close of
business this Friday, November 6, 2009. Call now 808.933-1471.
THE SAKES
1) Ginga Shizuku “Devine Droplets” Junmai Daiginjo shizuku sake
Tasting Note: Spice, minerals , sweet banana, melons, herbs and vanilla essence.
Nice complement to foods with focused richness. Try with: Caviar, Grilled Kobe
beef with bordelaise sauce.
2) Mizbasho Junmai Daiginjo
Tasting Note: This is very soft and delicate sake. The rich creamy flavor come
from rice and delicate sweetness is from water. Try with: Grilled Meat, Beef
steak, Mushroom.
3) Takacho Junmai Daiginjo (Limited)
Tasting Note: Smooth taste and refreshing flavor. A nose of green apple and
Japanese pear. Try with: Goes well with fried dish.
4) Kurosawa Junmai Daiginjo (kimoto)
Tasting Note: Ultimately smooth and delicate with trace hints of pear, butter
and floral overtones. Try with: Steaks sautéed and grilled. Spicy food as well.
Junmai Ginjo
5) Fukucho “Moon on the Water” Junmai Ginjo
Tasting Note: Lime and ripe cantaloupe wit bold hints of anise, white pepper
and allspice. Try with: Shrimp and fennel risotto, Seared scallops, Oyster.
6) Rihaku “Wondering Poet”
Tasting Note: Banana and very-ripe honeydew aromas, juicy fruitiness and
green, herbal notes. Ultimate sake to pair with wine-unfriendly vegetables.
Try with: Asparagus with roasted-garlic aioli, Grilled herb-marinated artichokes,
Sautéed broccoli rabe, Green salad with gorgonzola-herb dressing.
7) Takacho “The Regal Hawk” (Limited)
Tasting Note: Delicate, clean and crisp flavor profile with green apple and
fruity aromas. Dry sake. Try with: Grilled Chicken (Yakitori).
8 ) Tozai “Well of Wisdom”
Tasting Note: Excellent introduction to this category of sake. Delicate and clean.
Great as an aperitif and an easy match to all flavors of sushi. Try with: Fried
calamari, Grilled fish, Oysters.
9) Kanbara “Bride of the Fox”
Tasting Note: Grilled nuts, cocoa, pistachio and ripe honeydew with lingering
sweetness begs for rich meat or fish. Try with: Mandarin-glazed duck, Fig-stuffed
pork loin, Braised beef short ribs, Black cod with sweet miso glaze.
10) Ozeki Ginjo
Tasting Note: Clean and smooth. Try with: Pairs well with any food.
Junmai
11) Ama no To “Hevens Door”
Tasting Note: Sweet rice aromas, floral spiciness, mouthwatering pear, and
agreeable earthiness. Try with: Game bird with a dried fruit and nut stuffing,
Chestnut smoked ham and wild mushroom soup, Pork ribs with molasses and
star anise.
Nigori
12) Rihaku
Tasting Note: Sweet & creamy, fruity yet complex. Slight prune notes, taste of nuts.
Honjozo
13) Daishichi “Big 7” Kimoto
Tasting Note: Just soft texture that drink clean and silky. Savor the wonderful
medium-dry flavor, the expansive creamy aroma, and well-balanced richness.
Try with: Grilled meats and teriyaki dishes, simple seafood pasta.
Sparkling Sake
Using the exacting standards of French champagne (Champagne method)
combined with the traditional Junmai Sake brewing techniques has created this
cool and elegant sparkler.
14) Mizbasho Sparkling (Pure)
Tasting Note: A fantastic choice for a refreshing aperitif, this sparkling sake is
sure to surprise as a wonderful compliment to other courses throughout a meal.
It pairs well with fresh fruit such as strawberries, citrus and pears. It is best
served in champagne flutes, to enjoy the texture of delicate bubbles.
Try with: Italian food, seafood, any asian food
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