Monthly Archives: June 2018

Food and Wine Classic Aspen 2018

This food and wine festival is one of the kinds!

Food and Wine magazine hosts Food and Wine Classic in beautiful Aspen downtown, it showcased over 180 of fine food, wine, liquor, and luxury items presented by producers/makers for three days; this year was June 15th to 17th. Over 4000 people came to visit and enjoy all the fine foods and drinks over three day weekend.

Many celebrity chefs came for special lectures, tasting session, and talk show though out the weekend , but there was no program related to Sake, so maybe we can host one tasting and lecture session next year?!?!  The TV show “TOP Chef” chefs served their special dishes, too.

We are able to introduce our sake to first time sake drinker to experienced ones. Very interesting to interact with all kinds of people with different sake knowledge and show how we care for our products.

The Food and Wine magazine hosts’ similar festival in few cities throughout the United States, but Aspen one is its flagship. The ticket price was around $1500!! I personally though it is very expensive, but it maybe not… because I never saw Aspen airport so crowed with private jet!!

We hope to see you all out there again next year!!

Kanpai!!

Awards Recieved in 2018

TEXSOM International Wine Award

One of the largest and most diverse in the history of the competition. The 2018 TEXSOM IWA garnered over 3200 entries representing 30 countries and 21 U.S. States, with the most diverse selection of wines in the history of the competition. The Journal of Wine Economics recently published a paper in which TEXSOM IWA figured prominently for the competition’s ability to differentiate quality and offer judging consistency year-on-year. Also it is some of the most-recognized and selective in the United States.

We are happy to announce that some of our sake received medals.

GOLD:             Tokubetsu Honjozo

GOLD:             Clear Sparkling AWA

SILVER:            Shiboritate Genshu Echigo de Soro Blue Label

GOLD medal winning Tokubetsu Honjozo and Sparkling AWA will be presented at TEXSOM conference in August. They will be featured at tasting, dinners and special events.

Ultimate Wine Challenge

The most credible and relevant Wine competition in the industry. It offers the result that are reliable and easily understandable in today’s marketplace, creating opportunities for the industry, and establishing the platinum standard that defines what beverage evaluation should be.

We are happy to announce our Clear Sparkling AWA was given 90 points this year which is excellent, and highly recommended

Judges Tasting Notes:

What a treat! Impressively aromatic with telltale notes of tropical fruit, sea breeze, green apple, and coconut meat. Refreshing and mineral-driven with a fine mousse, this sparkling sake is fruity without going overboard, and long.

Los Angeles International Wine Competition

For 79 years, the Los Angeles International Wine Competition has showcased the finest domestic and international vintages through a wine-tasting event that is widely considered to be one of the most prestigious in the United States.

We proudly announce our Silver Medal Sake.

SILVER:            Clear Sparkling AWA

SILVER:            Shiboritate Genshu Echigo de Soro Blue Label

AWA Clear Sparkling Sake Launches in the US!

Sparkling Sake is nothing new, but Hakkaisan has challenedged itself to raise the bar and create a premium sparkling sake of note. The result is Hakkaisan’s AWA clear Sparkling Junmai Ginjo sake, which made it’s debut in the US market on June 5th. AWA means bubble, and that is the starting point that explains why this sake is different. Hakkaisan uses an in-bottle secondary fermentation to create CO2 through natural fermentation. This produces a fine and elegant bubble that can best be achieved in this way. The sake is lightly sweet up front with a clean finish and an overall light impression. Perfectly refreshing!

Hakkaisan Arrives in the USA
Hakkaisan AWA arrived in the USA with a special guest – Mr. Shigemitsu Nagumo, the Toji or Master Brewer at Hakkaisan Brewery. Mr. Nagumo came to New York to introduce the locals to Hakkaisan’s new and premium sparking sake. The launch event was held on the St. Cloud rooftop bar of the Knickerbocker hotel in Times Square. In his short remarks to the guests, Mr. Nagumo told everyone that this event in New York was one of the most fun events he has attended in his career and with a sincere thank you, he got the event off to a great start with a hearty “Kanpai!” (cheers!). It was a beautiful summer’s evening at sunset as guests gathered to try AWA served chilled and crisp into flutes which helped all to enjoy the aroma, taste and presentation of this new premium sparkling sake. Guests commented on the light taste and balance of this new premium sparkling.

How can you serve and pair AWA? Hakkaisan’s AWA clear sparkling sake can be served as you would a sparkling wine, but also in new ways as well. Enjoy AWA as an aperitif before dinner to enliven the palate and wake up the taste buds. AWA also pairs beautifully with appetizers and light salads as well as seafood and shellfish with a special recommendation for oysters. Given the light sweetness on the palate, you can also try AWA with desserts, a favorite match up being a light-as-air chocolate or matcha macaron.

AWA will be available in both 360ml (12 oz) and 720ml (24 oz) sizes. If you are a fan of sparkling wine, AWA will give you an entrance into the world of sake! Welcome and kanpai!