JETAA sake aficionados enjoyed a delicious and enlightening afternoon in the Distillery District at Get Your Nihonshu On! An Educational Sake Tasting Tour on Saturday, June 1, 2013.
The day started with an expert-guided tour of the Ontario Spring Water Sake Company. Professional sake educator and microbiologist extraordinaire Robin Morgan walked attendees through the complex sake brewing process, and taught everyone that mold (known as koji) is essential to making a good sake, and how to tell the difference between a junmai and a daiginjo.
Following this in-depth sake overview, guests were treated to a sampling of several of their delicious IZUMI sakes. Needless to say, intense debate regarding the finer points of sake, Japan, and the world at large ensued, accompanied by boisterous laughter, and general JET camaraderie.
The festivities migrated to Kingyo for an energetic nijikai where nihonshu discussion continued throughout the evening, and good times were had by all!
Big thanks to the 17 sake tour attendees, and 21 ladies and gentleman that came out for some tasty Japanese treats at the nijikai. Looking forward to see you all at our next JETAA event, The Boat Cruise!
Text by Carl Sachs
Tour photos by Sara Del Piano
Enkai photos by Nicholas Jones, Bokeh Photography