Journal

Blog

Stories of makers, ingredients, places and the decisions behind Japan's most compelling drinks.

Drink

The Christmas market in Strasbourg, France, the children’s market.

Once again, as is often the case in Europe, everything begins in the Middle Ages. From the Middle Ages, a market was organized in Strasbourg in anticipation of the feast of Saint Nicholas on December 6. It was to this saint, bishop of Myra in Turkey in the fourth century, that the role of giver […]

Drink

Vineyards in Paris intra muros? Yes!

You can find them in several hidden, or discreet places, in the capital. Little known, they testify to the importance of grape growing in Paris several centuries ago, and are still cultivated and harvested every year. Twenty centuries ago, France was already known for many great wine regions: the Rhone Valley – where the first vines […]

Drink

Sake and Chinese Cuisine Pairings

Today, I would like to talk about the Sake and Chinese food pairing. This pairing turns a meal at a fine restaurant or hotel into something even more enjoyable and luxurious. Sake’s deep flavor paired with Chinese cuisine.Sake, with its rich Umami flavor and characteristic taste, is a perfect match for many food materials. The […]

Drink

The Top Sake Breweries of 2023

The 2023 edition of the World Sake Sakagura (brewery) Rankings will recognize breweries that have received high marks in various contests held in Japan and abroad during the year. This ranking is a system to honor sake breweries that produce excellent sake. Awards received from representative sake competitions held throughout the year are converted into […]

Drink

Embassy Room’s Culinary Symphony: 30-Hand Dinner Fusing Global Flavors with Yuzu’s Zest

The grand finale on November 27, 2023, at Embassy Room – Catalan restaurant, features a 30-hand dinner by Bangkok’s top chefs. The genre of cuisine is worldwide, and yuzu is always paired with it. The creativity by the top chefs made each dish and yuzu a perfect fit. The drinks served are not only champagne […]

Drink

Tradition and Innovation at Heiwa Brewery: Savoring Wakayama’s Rich Heritage

Today, I will focus on introducing Heiwa Brewery, a long-established sake brewery in Wakayama Prefecture. Founded in the third year of Showa era (1928), this brewery is known for producing the Japanese sake “KID”, “Muryozan”, Umeshu (plum wine), the liqueur “Tsuruume”, as well as Doburoku and craft beer. The products, reflecting the skill and passion […]

Drink

TANAKA 65’s Choice

田中六十五 TANAKA 65’s Choice: Junmai sake profile, production context, and external assessment TANAKA 65’s Choice is a Japanese sake produced with a focus on fermentation control and balanced aroma structure. This article summarizes its production background, tasting characteristics, and external recognition as reference material for sake literacy and comparison work. The recommended sensory impressions include […]

Drink

Discovering Bruno Dangin’s Exceptional Cremant

Bubbles as good as Champagne produced by a Cremant specialist. Very creamy mouthfeel due to long bottle aging, fresh and complex, and a wonderful taste that is truly Champagne-like! Originally from a family winery in Champagne, Bruno Dangin abandoned Champagne and relocated to Burgundy to make high quality biological sparkling wines. Their wines are produced […]

Bar

Exploring the Unique Fusion of Tradition and Innovation: Tsutsumi Shuzo’s Japanese Sake Vermouth

JAPANESE SAKE VERMOUTH is a sake-based liqueur, a unique drink that combines traditional European vermouth with Japanese characteristics. The use of unique Japanese ingredients such as Yomogi and Yuzu gives it a Japanese flavor and a refreshing aroma that sets it apart from traditional vermouth. This liqueur can also be used as an ingredient in […]

Drink

Heiwa Brewery New Challenge: The Heiwa Doburoku

Let’s focus on Heiwa Doburoku, the latest creation from Heiwa Brewery, known for “KID”. This Doburoku, the source of craft sake, is a very interesting sake with a simple but deep flavor. Doburoku, the ancestor of traditional Japanese sakeDoburoku is the ancestor of sake, which, unlike sake, is made by bottling the malt before filtering […]