An Elevated Tasting Involving Sake Pairing Is The Best Way To Explore Sake
It should come as no surprise with the popularity of sushi on menus and being served at chic parties that an increased interest in other things Japanese would whet a food lover’s appetite. Sake has been a staple of Japanese cuisine for centuries, and now is experiencing a rise in demand and awareness in the American fine-dining scene. Top chefs who embrace vintage champagne like Dom Pérignon have in the same manner gravitated to Iwa 5, which can retail for $200 per bottle.
The fermented rice alcohol and its uniqueness is what may be engaging a new set of drinkers. Like wine, sake is available in all sorts of flavor profiles: From light and crisp, delicate and dry, or bold and rich, there is a choice for nearly every occasion and palate. And it pairs beautifully with food just as wine does.
So how do you decide what sake to pair with your meal? Keep in mind, selecting sake is about personal preference however the important thing to note is that it should present a harmonious well-balanced flavor profile. If you are new to sake and want to know how to pair it with dinner, the best way to explore is at a tasting. Momoya Soho has a unique offering thanks to their beverage director, Leo Le who has honed his skills as a sommelier studying sake and created a wine list featuring sakes that are traditional as well as contemporary varieties to pair with modern and authentic Japanese dishes.
A recent tasting involving a sake pairing highlighted a wide and varied world of sake with traditional and inventive Japanese cuisine surrounding eye-catching décor:
Starting with Kumamoto Oysters, our sake pairing featured bubbly- Gosset, “Grande Réserve”, Champagne Brut and Ohmine, “Winter’s Arrival”, Unclassified Nama Nigori
A stunning Kiwami Zensai, Aori Ika Kinome-Misoae, Zuwaiigani, Ginger Ebi, Hotate Salad highlighted a sake pairing with Masumi, “Hiyaoroshi”, Nama Yamahai Junmai Ginjo
Sesame Tofu Agedashi paired with Tedorigawa, “Iki Na Onna” Daiginjo, and Tedorigawa, “U”, Yamahai Junmai
Awabi Shiogama Yaki, Salt roasted Abalone & Uni, Abalone Liver- Butter Sauce paired with Shichi Hon Yari, “Shiboritate”, Nama Junmai
Nigiri, Kinmedai, Nodoguro, Kasugodai, Uni, Chutoro paired with Aruga, “Branca Pipa” Yamanashi and Isojiman, “Omachi”, Tokubetsu Junmai
Akadashi Miso Soup, Nameko, Tofu, Mitsuba
A5 Miyazaki Wagyu, Brussel Sprouts, Fingerling Potatoes, Shiitake, Mizuna paired with Tengumai, Yamachai Junmai, and
Mukai, “Ine Mankai”, Junmai Genshu
Amazingly, a cheese platter with Brie Fermier (Ile-de-France), 12-month-aged Ossau-Iraty (Basque), 18-month aged Comte (Jura), Bleu d’Auvergne is one of the best dishes for sake pairing of Kuheiji, “Eau du Desir”, Junmai Daiginjo 2022, Iwa 5, “Assemblage 3, “ Junmai Daiginjo Genshu 2021 and Kenbishi, “Mizuho”, Yamahai Junmai
For Dessert, Jasmine Tea Brulee and Mille-Feuille aux banana paired with hArnaud de Villeneuve, Rivesaltes Ambre 1988
and Hanahato, 8 Years aged Kijoshi
Digestifs featuring Heiwa, “Tsuru-Ume Kanjuku” Nigori Umeshu Houjicha
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