Sake Sommelier Association launches London Sake Challenge

Published: 07 June, 2012

Matching sake with the likes of foie gras and caviar is one of the areas the Sake Sommelier Association is trying to promote at the London Sake Challenge to be held in August.

The competition, which aims to reward the most outstanding premium sake on the market, will take place in front of a jury formed of the world's best sake professionals.

Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to the best products, with the aim of bringing enjoyment of the drink to a younger generation in Japan.

An additional aim is to create a new European market by combining sake with non-oriental foods to promote to sommeliers and consumers that the consumption of sake is once again fashionable.

Organiser and sake educator Xavier Chapelou said: "Sake just doesn't have to be drunk alongside Japanese food. The drink matches well with some foods wine doesn't necessarily match with, such as asparagus and tomatoes. Plus other foods like fish, foie gras and caviar."

Chapelou added that premium sake is currently enjoying a growing popularity in the UK as a new type of sophisticated drink and is increasingly being appreciated in the same league as fine wine.

The competition will take place on August 20(10am-6pm) at Harrods Tasting Room.

The judges are:

Gerard Basset, UK

Markus Berlingh, Germany

Micky Chan, Hong Kong

Laurent Chaniac, UK

Stanley Chang, Maldives

Atilio Falco, UK

Yang Jiao, Australia

Carlo Marini, Italy

Barry McCaughley, UK

Siméon Molard, France