Sparkling Sake?! Yes, free your mind and your taste buds and experiment with this little jewel. Of course sake, or Nihonshu, is rice wine. It is an alcoholic drink brewed from rice that can be drunk warm, cold or room temperature.
Sake has an older history in China, but the Japanese took firm ownership of it when they began to mass produce sake in the 13th century. For two thousands years sake has been extremely important in Japanese culture and tradition. Sake is used in almost all important celebrations and ceremonies, from weddings to purification rituals. Tradition dictates that one never pours their own sake, but it is poured by a friend and you return the favor.
Sparkling sake is prepared slightly different from traditional sake because the fermentation is stopped earlier than usual so there is more sugar still left in the mash. For this reason sparkling sake is lower in alcohol (6-10%) than traditional sakes (18-20%). Most sparkling sakes are also cloudy with sediment because of the extra sugar and yeast needed to get through the pressing step. Don’t shake your bottle but let the server gently upend the bottle and, of course, pour it for you!
What flavors should one expect from sake? Well, that’s like saying what flavors does one get from a Pinot Noir; it depends on so many factors. Sake is no different. The rice, the water, and brewers are all important in the production of sake.
Hou Hou Shu is one example of sparkling sake. Hec, the name alone is worth the price. It comes in a 300ml bottle which is about two glasses worth. Presented in a beautiful blue, sparkly bottle, Hou Hou Shu explodes with floral sweetness. A fruity bouquet floats gently to your nose…mmmm. Flavors of bananas, marshmallows, vanilla and almonds ooze from your sake into your mouth. Imagine such flavors from rice! Sparkling sake, like Champagne, pairs well with salads, seafood, or can stand alone. So, shoo shoo over for some Hou Hou Shu!
