Japanese sake breweries hosted a promotional tasting in L.A.
On January 30, nine sake breweries from Japan held a sake tasting in Los Angeles, CA, to promote their sake. They’ve invited about 70 representatives from restaurant and wholesale industries, and introduced the Junmai Daiginjo sake. Roughly 20% of all Japanese sake export is to the U.S. which holds the largest export share, however, its growth is sluggish due to localed production of sake in the States has been increasing in the recent years. The brewers appealed to the non-Japanese restaurants and supermarkets on this promotion. One of the wholesale merchant commented, “I’d like to carry some Japanese sake because it goes very well with many different cuisines.”
Four breweries from disaster-stricken Tohoku region participated as well. Mr. Yusa from Nihonmatsu city, Fukushima*, said, “Something that tastes good is universal. I have faith in our sake that it will please the people in the States.” Mr. Kuji from Nido city, Iwate** prefecture, said, “I came to participate in this sake tasting event to show that Iwate prefecture is full of vigor. We hope our sake will be enjoyed by many people in restaurants in the U.S.”
* Fukushima is one of the prefectures known for excellent rice. Despite the accident of Fukushima Daiichi, some areas of Fukushima (away from the troubled plant) are still producing rice, which are under strict surveillance for radiation. Junmai Ginjo is made purely from white rice, and is generally very smooth to taste.
** I’ve translated a NHK news about Mr. Kuji’s brewery last year here, for anyone who’s interested to find more about them.
