Taste of Japan: Sake Tasting & Japanese Dinner

Quaffing wines with Light Snacks  (Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier, 2011; & Michael David Petite Petit, 2010)

Sake Tasting with assorted Japanese Rolls, conducted by Hiro"s resident Sake expert      Sakes:  Kan Chiku   Suehiro Densho, Gura Kubota Senjyu

2nd & 3rd Courses:   Miso Soup, followed by mixed green salad with Carrot ginger dressing   Wine:  2012 Chateaude Chaluvenay Sancerre

4th Course:   Choice of Braised short Ribs (slow-cooked, herbs, wine, * sweet soy)  Or Scottish Salmon Plank (misquite, raspberry sauce, fresh fuju appple & cucumber).  Wine:  2010 BV Reserve Tapestry (WS90); 2011 Ponzi Pinot Noir WA 90)

Dessert:  Summerberry Stack Cafe:   Martini & Rossi Asti Spumati

There were 17 people who attended this event at this popular Japanese restaurant.  We had a room that accommodated our group nicely. Eric Knauss guided us through the Sake and sushi tasting, which added to our knowledge & culinary experience.   We learned that there are 2 types of sake: Futsoshu (like ordinary table wine),; and Tokutel (special designation sake)  The majority of sake produced is “ordinary”, and is best served warm to cover unpleasant aroma. The special designation sakes (such as we were served tonight) are made with more polished rice, have less additives,and are best served cold.   The 3 sakes varied in the amount of filtration, & had subtle differences on the palate, but the pairings with the sushi were very enjoyable.  A traditional Japanese soup and salad was complemented by a fruity/floral wine.  In the 4th course, the braised beef was  succulent with the BV Reserve with notes of cherry, berry & chocolate.  The Japanese style salmon was beautiful, served on a small plank, was terrific with the Ponzi  Pinot which had  a pleasant acidity & hint of cherry.  The dessert was like a picture, and was as yummy as it was beautiful.   The sparkling Asti Spumati was a perfect  match!  The fact that the attendance was smaller than usual did not diminish the evening, and those in attendance did not leave disappointed.