Sugidama Sake Podcast
83 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 months ago -This is a podcast to chronicle my journey into the world of sake and other Japanese drinks, food, culture and history. While I have a sake qualification (International Kikisake-shi), I still consider myself as a novice in the sake world. I have plenty to learn about the drink and I want to share this experience with my listeners through personal accounts, interesting facts about sake and interviews with sake experts.
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Episodes
Ep. 49: How to Enjoy Sake: Easy Buying Guide
December 02, 2023 12:00 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MBThe new season of Sugidama Sake Podcast is out and I am releasing the first episode on Saturday! This is the start of a mini-series "How to Enjoy Sake". After talking to a lot of people who don't drink sake I have realised that very often the reason is that they believe that sake has some special rules for buying, drinking and enjoying it and they don't know them. In reality, sake is like any other drink, has its own particularities but they are not as complex and different from other alco...
Ep. 48: Shochu Advisor Course Overview
May 04, 2023 17:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MBThe final episode of Season 4 is about a new Shochu Advisor Course, run by the Intentional Sake School. I have recently taken it and decided to share my experience. The course was taught by amazing Toshio Ueno, a Co-Founder of the Sake School of America, Director of Sake at MTC. Ueno san is Sake Samurai and advisor to many Japanese government bodies, associations and companies. His knowledge stretches from wine and beer to sake and shochu and many other areas. It's a new and I think the o...
Ep 47: Sake Around the World. Sake in Manchester with Jamie Ryder (Yamato Magazine)
April 20, 2023 07:00 - 36 minutes - 24.9 MBIt's the conclusion of the Sake Around the World miniseries. We started it in Birmingham with Simon Boulton, then flew to Hong Kong to talk to Eric and Will, after that we chatted with Timothy and John from the Sake Revolution podcast in New York and made a stop in Paris to discuss sake and wine culture with Tony. Finally, we are back in England to speak with Jamie Ryder about the sake scene in Manchester and the North of England. Jamie Ryder is a hospitality copywriter and marketer and th...
Ep. 46: Brewery Focus. Kuheiji Honten with Japan Centre
April 06, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 45.4 MBKuheiji Kuno is a maverick. He's a trailblazer of the sake world taking his inspiration from hundreds of years of sake brewing tradition, Japanese culture and philosophy of living with nature, and French winemaking. He believes in terroir, which remains a controversial topic in the sake industry. But he doesn't just believe in it, he demonstrates it with his sake. So we sit down with Nao Torisawa and Hiro Kumagami from Japan Centre, which is one of the largest sake retailers in the UK, and...
Ep 45: Sake Around the World. Sake in France with Tony Yip
March 23, 2023 08:00 - 57 minutes - 39.6 MBWe continue our journey around the world to find out how sake fares in different countries. And today I am talking to Tony Yip from VSF Wine Education about France. How does sake coexist with wine in one of the key wine-making countries? Do people drink sake at all there and what about local sake? I have asked Tony all these questions. So listen to the episode to find out what he replied! Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London...
Ep 44: Discovering Yamaguchi Sake with Jim Rion
March 09, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 53.2 MBA new English-language book about sake is always big news. They do not come that often. It's passed almost a year since Exploring the World of Japanese Craft Sake by Nancy Matsumoto and Michael Tremblay (see Episode 30). And this time we are treated by Discovering Yamaguchi Sake by Jim Rion. You should know Jim very well. He's a sake writer, translator and co-host of the fantastic Sake Deep Dive podcast. He's already been on Sugidama Podcast before talking about modern sake trends in Episod...
Ep 43: Sake Around the World. New York with Sake Revolution, Timothy Sullivan and John Puma
February 23, 2023 08:00 - 54 minutes - 37.2 MBThe United States is the largest export market for Japanese sake. And for the last few decades, New York has been the key destination for sake outside Asia. Many sake brands first came there and only after that to Europe. A dedicated sake bar Decibel opened its doors in New York in 1993, almost 30 years before London got its first sake bar. So how does the sake scene in the United States and in New York in particular look like now? In this episode, I am talking to Timothy Sullivan, a Sak...
Ep. 42: Brewery Focus. Niida Honke with Sake Collective
February 09, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 46 MBFounded in 1711, Niida Honke has been brewing sake in the same location in Kōriyama, Fukushima Prefecture for more than 300 years. The brewery is known for the combination of traditional brewing techniques with its strong commitment to natural ingredients and its philosophy that everything has to be done in harmony with nature. The name of the brewery's flagship brand, Shizenshu, means “natural sake". Niida Honke uses only organic rice, fresh water from the local spring, and natural yeast ...
Ep. 41 Sake Around the World: Sake in Hong Kong with Eric Fung and Will Jarvis
January 26, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 43.8 MBFrom Birmingham to Hong Kong following sake around the world! I am talking to Eric Fung and Will Jarvis about the sake scene in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is one of the largest export markets for sake just behind the US and Mainland China due for a number of reasons: Due to the proximity to Japan, consumers in Hong Kong have very good understanding of sake The city has low import tariffs, which also makes it a re-export market Hong Kong is a hub for wine trading at a commercial scale Hong K...
Ep. 40: Brewery Focus. Tedorigawa Sake with World Sake Imports UK
January 12, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 45.6 MBYoshida Sake Brewery, the maker of Tedorigawa sake, is famous not only for its amazing and delicious sake but also for the documentary, The Birth of Sake, which follows the process of traditional, craft sake making throughout the winter of 2013. So we sat down with Asami Tasaka and Masayo Nuttall from World Sake Imports UK to talk about the brewery and try three of their excellent sake. Founded by Chris Pearce in Honolulu, Hawaii, World Sake Imports is also one of the key sake importers he...
Ep. 39 Sake Around the World: Sake in Birmingham with Sam Boulton
December 29, 2022 08:00 - 50 minutes - 34.6 MBThis is the first episode in the Sake Around the World series. Today I am talking with Samuel Boulton about sake in Birmingham. With almost 15 years in the industry, Sam boasts many accolades such as CLASS Awards 2022, Bar Employer of the year, The Drinks Trust Golden Pineapple 2022 Winner of the award Best Internal Staff Initiatives. Samuel is also on the Spirits Judging Committee for the world-renowned IWSC, specialising in Vermouth and liqueurs. In 2021 Sam published his first book The ...
Ep. 38: Brewery Focus. Noguchi Sake Institute with Tengu Sake
December 15, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 49 MBNoguchi Naohiko is a legend in the world of sake. He has been making sake since 1949 and is widely known as the God of Sake Brewing. After working at a number of breweries as a toji (master brewer) he now heads The Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute (NNSI) established in 2017 with the vision of passing Noguchi-Toji’s skill, spirit and sake philosophy to a new generation of brewers. At last, Noguchi sake is available in the UK thanks to Tengu Sake and its charismatic owner, Oliver Hilton-Johns...
Ep. 37: The start of Season 4 and BSA Grand Tasting
December 01, 2022 14:00 - 45 minutes - 31.4 MBThe wait is over and Season 4 is on with a lot of interesting interviews, breweries overviews, tastings, special episodes and even a competition together with London Sake, which will be announced later. In this episode, I am talking to a bunch of very cool people I met at the British Sake Association Grand Tasting of Sake in October 2022. You will hear from Natalie from Kanpai London, Chie from Wakaze Sake, Hiroyuki from Shirakabegura, Maria Laura from Tanaka 1789 X Chartier, Tony from V...
Ep. 36: IWC Sake 2022
July 28, 2022 07:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBYay, it's been two years and three seasons of Sugidama Podcast! And this is the last episode of Season 3, where I share some observations from the IWC Sake judging this year and the Award Winning Sake Tasting at the Embassy of Japan followed after. During that tasting event, I took comments from my fellow judges, sake breweries and even from the Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Hayashi Hajime. You will also hear Oliver Hilton-Johnson from Tengu Sake, who was in ...
Ep 36: IWC Sake 2022
July 28, 2022 07:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBYay, it's been two years and three seasons of Sugidama Podcast! And this is the last episode of Season 3, where I share some observations from the IWC Sake judging this year and the Award Winning Sake Tasting at the Embassy of Japan followed after. During that tasting event, I took comments from my fellow judges, sake breweries and even from the Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Hayashi Hajime. You will also hear Oliver Hilton-Johnson from Tengu Sake, who was in ...
Ep. 35: Deep Dive into Sake Trends: an interview with Jim Rion and Andrew Russell, Sake Deep Dive
July 14, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 47.2 MBThis is the second interview, which concludes the Emergence of Sake series and highlights the modern sake trends. This time with Jim Rion and Andrew Russell from the super interesting and informative Sake Deep Dive podcast. Andy has already been on Sugidama Podcast before passionately talking about sake yeast in Episode 19. He is a sake brewer at Imada Shuzo and the author of the Origin Sake blog. Jim is a freelance translator and writer working primarily in the tourism, sake, and enter...
Ep. 34: Kanpai, London! Interview with Tom Wilson, a master brewer and owner of Kanpai Brewery in London
June 30, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 43.6 MBAfter concluding The Emergence of Sake series tracing the history of sake brewing from ancient times until the modern times, I decided to follow it with two interviews highlighting the modern trends in sake making. And in this episode, I am talking to Tom Wilson, a master brewer and owner of the first UK sake brewery, Kanpai London. Kanpai represents a modern approach to sake brewing but follows the same philosophy as most brewers in Japan for hundreds of years: to make the best possible s...
Ep. 33 Emergence of Sake Series: Sake in Modern Times
June 16, 2022 07:00 - 25 minutes - 17.9 MBLast time we were talking about the Edo period, which brought many techniques and innovations into sake brewing resulting in better and more stable sake. But the real revolution in sake-making happened after the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate: during the Meiji era but particularly at the beginning of the 20th century. In this episode I am talking about huge changes in the sake industry, the foundation of the National Research Institute of Brewing and the development of yamahai and sokujo bre...
Ep. 33: Emergence of Sake Series: Sake in Modern Times
June 16, 2022 07:00 - 25 minutes - 17.9 MBLast time we were talking about the Edo period, which brought many techniques and innovations into sake brewing resulting in better and more stable sake. But the real revolution in sake-making happened after the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate: during the Meiji era but particularly at the beginning of the 20th century. In this episode I am talking about huge changes in the sake industry, the foundation of the National Research Institute of Brewing and the development of yamahai and sokujo bre...
Ep. 32: Where to Learn about Sake and Enjoy It: an interview with Marie Cheong-Thong
June 02, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 44.5 MBSake is not a very easy topic. If you want to understand it well, you need to do some studying. You can buy a book or two about sake (see Episode 12 Essential Books about Sake) and read them. You can go to sake events and probably join a sake promoting organisation such as the British Sake Association. Finally, you can go to a sake course and get a sake qualification. And my guest for this episode is Marie Cheong-Thong, a certified WSET sake, wine and spirits educator, freelance writer and...
Ep. 31: Emergence of Sake Series: The Age of Prosperity: Sake in the Edo Period
May 19, 2022 18:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBThe Edo period for sake brewing was like the Victorian era for the industrial revolution. So many things that happened then still influence the drink now: from technological advances and new brewing techniques to the geography and taste. In this episode, we are looking at the evolution of sake during the Edo period and the emergence of kimoto as a dominating brewing method. Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of...
Ep. 31 Emergence of Sake Series: The Age of Prosperity: Sake in the Edo Period
May 19, 2022 18:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBThe Edo period for sake brewing was like the Victorian era for the industrial revolution. So many things that happened then still influence the drink now: from technological advances and new brewing techniques to the geography and taste. In this episode, we are looking at the evolution of sake during the Edo period and the emergence of kimoto as a dominating brewing method. Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of...
Ep. 30: Exploring the World of Japanese Craft Sake (Interview with Nancy Matsumoto and Michael Tremblay)
May 05, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 52 MBIt's always exciting to read a new book about sake. There are not that many of them published outside Japan. But the fact that this new book is written by two amazing authors and sake specialists Nancy Matsumoto, a renowned sake and food journalist and Michael Tremblay, Sake Samurai and sake educator, makes it even more thrilling. In this episode, I am talking with Nancy and Michael about their new book, Exploring the World of Japanese Craft Sake: how they came up with the idea, what it is...
Ep 29: Emergence of Sake Series: Bodaimoto and How Oda Nobunaga Ended Soboshu
April 21, 2022 07:00 - 29 minutes - 20.4 MBSoboshu, the sake brewed by monks played a very important role in the development of sake brewing techniques in medieval Japan. The monasteries possessed many key components necessary for successful sake-making: economic power, skilled labour force, scientific knowledge and strong political clout. However, it all was ended by Oda Nobunaga, who saw temples as a threat to his rule. One of the very significant inventions was bodaimoto, a brewing technique developed by the monks of the Shoryak...
The beauty of nature: The Sparkling Sake Brewery
April 07, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 42.5 MBThe new interview with Naoki Toyota and Tracey Delaney from The Sparkling Sake Brewery based in Cambridgeshire. Inspired by nature, Naoki went to study sake brewing in Nara, the birthplace of Japanese sake. After returning to the UK, he went on the mission to create the sake, which would express the beauty of UK nature. His collaboration with Tracey, who is a certified sake specialist has led to the creation of AWA, a beautiful sparkling sake made by a traditional fermentation in the bott...
Ep 28: The beauty of nature: The Sparkling Sake Brewery
April 07, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 42.5 MBThe new interview with Naoki Toyota and Tracey Delaney from The Sparkling Sake Brewery based in Cambridgeshire. Inspired by nature, Naoki went to study sake brewing in Nara, the birthplace of Japanese sake. After returning to the UK, he went on the mission to create the sake, which would express the beauty of UK nature. His collaboration with Tracey, who is a certified sake specialist has led to the creation of AWA, a beautiful sparkling sake made by a traditional fermentation in the bott...
Ep 27: Emergence of Sake Series: Enters Koji, Imperial Court and Soboshu
March 24, 2022 08:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MBI continue the mini-series about the emergence of sake with an episode about probably the major technological breakthrough in sake making: the use of koji, this amazing friendly microorganism, I was talking with Akemi Yokoyama about in Episode 16. But what is the link between sake and the Imperial Court? And what is "soboshu", monk sake? Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium an...
Emergence of Sake Series: Enters Koji, Imperial Court and Soboshu
March 24, 2022 08:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MBI continue the mini-series about the emergence of sake with an episode about probably the major technological breakthrough in sake making: the use of koji, this amazing friendly microorganism, I was talking with Akemi Yokoyama about in Episode 16. But what is the link between sake and the Imperial Court? And what is "soboshu", monk sake? Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium an...
How a Travel Company Opened a Sake Store in London: Interview HIS Japan Premium
March 10, 2022 08:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBThe first interview of Season 3: a conversation about a new Japanese sake and grocery store, HIS Japan Premium, with John Opondo, who is Managing Director of HIS Europe and Masahiro Tsuji, HIS Business Development Manager. John and Masahiro are telling a story of how a travel company decided to open a sake and grocery store in Central London during the COVID-19 pandemic. HIS Japan Premium has an excellent sake selection curated by Natsuki Kikuya, who was a guest of Sugidama Podcast in Episo...
Ep 26: How a Travel Company Opened a Sake Store in London: Interview HIS Japan Premium
March 10, 2022 08:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBThe first interview of Season 3: a conversation about a new Japanese sake and grocery store, HIS Japan Premium, with John Opondo, who is Managing Director of HIS Europe and Masahiro Tsuji, HIS Business Development Manager. John and Masahiro are telling a story of how a travel company decided to open a sake and grocery store in Central London during the COVID-19 pandemic. HIS Japan Premium has an excellent sake selection curated by Natsuki Kikuya, who was a guest of Sugidama Podcast in Episo...
The Emergence of Sake: Roots of Nihonshu
February 24, 2022 11:00 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MBAfter a break Sugidama Podcast is back with a short series talking about the emergence of sake brewing methods from ancient times to our days. In this episode, we are talking about the roots of sake from how people discovered alcohol in the first place to ancient sake brewing technics used up to 800 CE using the archaeological evidence and Japanese myths and legends. Don't forget about our sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of ...
Ep 25: The Emergence of Sake: Roots of Nihonshu
February 24, 2022 11:00 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MBAfter a break Sugidama Podcast is back with a short series talking about the emergence of sake brewing methods from ancient times to our days. In this episode, we are talking about the roots of sake from how people discovered alcohol in the first place to ancient sake brewing technics used up to 800 CE using the archaeological evidence and Japanese myths and legends. Don't forget about our sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of ...
Ep 24: Message in a Bottle: Interview with Andy Travers, London Sake
August 05, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 46.9 MBIn the final episode of Season 2, I am talking to Andy Travers, the founder of London Sake, an online sake shop, and Sugidama Podcast's sponsor. We covered quite a lot of topics from the London Sake story, to the Olympics, bottle labels and managed to taste and discussed three excellent sake during our conversation. London Sake is an excellent online sake store and has one of the widest premium and craft sake selections available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and wit...
Message in a Bottle: Interview with Andy Travers, London Sake
August 05, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 46.9 MBIn the final episode of Season 2, I am talking to Andy Travers, the founder of London Sake, an online sake shop, and Sugidama Podcast's sponsor. We covered quite a lot of topics from the London Sake story, to the Olympics, bottle labels and managed to taste and discussed three excellent sake during our conversation. London Sake is an excellent online sake store and has one of the widest premium and craft sake selections available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and wit...
Ep 23: Sake Focus: Ginjo, Luxury in a Glass
July 22, 2021 07:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MBThe fourth episode in the short Sake Focus series is about ginjo, premium and super-premium sake made from highly polished rice. The name comes from two Chinese characters and could be translated as "crafted or carefully brewing". But there's much more in ginjo than just a high milling ratio. Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliv...
Sake Focus: Ginjo, Luxury in a Glass
July 22, 2021 07:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MBThe fourth episode in the short Sake Focus series is about ginjo, premium and super-premium sake made from highly polished rice. The name comes from two Chinese characters and could be translated as "crafted or carefully brewing". But there's much more in ginjo than just a high milling ratio. Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliv...
Ep 22: Sake Focus: Namazake, Life in a Bottle
July 08, 2021 10:00 - 24 minutes - 17 MBThe third episode in the short Sake Focus series is about namazake, unpasteurised sake which is known for its unruly wild and lively character. Nama can be translated from Japanese as live, raw, fresh, or even natural. And it's all true about namazake. Listen to the episode to find out about different types of namazake including famous autumn sake called hiyaoroshi. Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the wid...
Sake Focus: Namazake, Life in a Bottle
July 08, 2021 10:00 - 24 minutes - 17 MBThe third episode in the short Sake Focus series is about namazake, unpasteurised sake which is known for its unruly wild and lively character. Nama can be translated from Japanese as live, raw, fresh, or even natural. And it's all true about namazake. Listen to the episode to find out about different types of namazake including famous autumn sake called hiyaoroshi. Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the wid...
Ep 21: Sake Focus: Nigori, a descendant of a sacred drink
June 24, 2021 10:00 - 23 minutes - 16 MBThe second episode in the short Sake Focus series is about nigori, which takes its origin from the ancient sacred drink called doburoku. Doburoku is the oldest method of sake brewing which survived more than a thousand years of history and is still around nowadays. Nigori is cloudy sake, where rice and yeast particles from fermentation left in the final product. Sometimes it’s called unfiltered sake, but it’s not correct. Listen to the episode to find out why. Don't forget, Sugidama Podcas...
Sake Focus: Nigori, a descendant of a sacred drink
June 24, 2021 10:00 - 23 minutes - 16 MBThe second episode in the short Sake Focus series is about nigori, which takes its origin from the ancient sacred drink called doburoku. Doburoku is the oldest method of sake brewing which survived more than a thousand years of history and is still around nowadays. Nigori is cloudy sake, where rice and yeast particles from fermentation left in the final product. Sometimes it’s called unfiltered sake, but it’s not correct. Listen to the episode to find out why. Don't forget, Sugidama Podcas...
Ep 20: Sake Focus: Junmai/Honjozo
June 10, 2021 10:00 - 25 minutes - 17.6 MBRecently, I have spoken to one of my listeners, who praised this podcast for its wonderful content. “But you know”, he said. “Sake is a completely new thing for me and I feel a bit overwhelmed with the amount of information you put in each episode. Why don’t you make them a bit easier to digest?” And he’s absolutely right. So I decided to do a series of episodes focusing on one particular topic, I have mentioned before. And this time it's junmai/honjozo. Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now h...
Sake Focus: Junmai/Honjozo
June 10, 2021 10:00 - 25 minutes - 17.6 MBRecently, I have spoken to one of my listeners, who praised this podcast for its wonderful content. “But you know”, he said. “Sake is a completely new thing for me and I feel a bit overwhelmed with the amount of information you put in each episode. Why don’t you make them a bit easier to digest?” And he’s absolutely right. So I decided to do a series of episodes focusing on one particular topic, I have mentioned before. And this time it's junmai/honjozo. Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now h...
Ep 19: Sake Ingredients: Yeast, the Unsung Hero of Sake Brewing (interview with Andrew Russell)
May 27, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 44 MBThe conclusion of the Sake Ingredients mini-series with an interview with Andrew Russell about sake yeast, which he calls an unsung hero of sake brewing. Andrew moved to Japan from Scotland to pursue his interest in what he described as “a fascinating and multifaceted country” and fulfil his dream of becoming a sake brewer. He started working as kurabito, a sake brewery worker, first at a small brewery on the outskirts of Okayama prefecture and then at iconic Imada Shuzo, a sake brewery loca...
Sake Ingredients: Yeast, the Unsung Hero of Sake Brewing
May 27, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 44 MBThe conclusion of the Sake Ingredients mini-series with an interview with Andrew Russell about sake yeast, which he calls an unsung hero of sake brewing. Andrew moved to Japan from Scotland to pursue his interest in what he described as “a fascinating and multifaceted country” and fulfil his dream of becoming a sake brewer. He started working as kurabito, a sake brewery worker, first at a small brewery on the outskirts of Okayama prefecture and then at iconic Imada Shuzo, a sake brewery loca...
Ep 19: Sake Ingredients: Yeast, the Unsung Hero of Sake Brewing
May 27, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 44 MBThe conclusion of the Sake Ingredients mini-series with an interview with Andrew Russell about sake yeast, which he calls an unsung hero of sake brewing. Andrew moved to Japan from Scotland to pursue his interest in what he described as “a fascinating and multifaceted country” and fulfil his dream of becoming a sake brewer. He started working as kurabito, a sake brewery worker, first at a small brewery on the outskirts of Okayama prefecture and then at iconic Imada Shuzo, a sake brewery loca...
How I Became an IWC Sake Judge
May 13, 2021 09:00 - 40 minutes - 27.6 MBOn a nice April morning, I've got a call from Rie Yoshitake, whom I know from numerous sake events. "Alex, would you like to be a sake judge at IWC", she asked out of the blue. "Yes!", I replied without any hesitation. It was my dream for the last couple of years and now it's been fulfilled! Yay! In this episode, I am talking about the IWC (International Wine Challenge), how the judging happens, my personal experience and my takeaways from three days of intensive judging. Don't forget, ...
Ep 18: How I Became an IWC Sake Judge
May 13, 2021 09:00 - 40 minutes - 27.6 MBOn a nice April morning, I've got a call from Rie Yoshitake, whom I know from numerous sake events. "Alex, would you like to be a sake judge at IWC", she asked out of the blue. "Yes!", I replied without any hesitation. It was my dream for the last couple of years and now it's been fulfilled! Yay! In this episode, I am talking about the IWC (International Wine Challenge), how the judging happens, my personal experience and my takeaways from three days of intensive judging. Don't forget, ...
How I Become an IWC Sake Judge
May 13, 2021 09:00 - 40 minutes - 27.6 MBOn a nice April morning, I've got a call from Rie Yoshitake, whom I know from numerous sake events. "Alex, would you like to be a sake judge at IWC", she asked out of the blue. "Yes!", I replied without any hesitation. It was my dream for the last couple of years and now it's been fulfilled! Yay! In this episode, I am talking about the IWC (International Wine Challenge), how the judging happens, my personal experience and my takeaways from three days of intensive judging. Don't forget, ...
Sake, mirin and other animals (Interview with Kinu Yukawa)
April 29, 2021 09:00 - 42 minutes - 29.4 MBA great interview about sake, cooking, mirin and other things with Kinu Yukawa. She is a Japanese chef and cookery teacher from Kobe, Japan, currently based in London. She ventured into the world of food early in life and fostered the basics of cooking from her grandmother. Later she trained in French cuisine at Ecole Ritz Escoffier Paris and traditional Japanese cuisine in Kyoto. Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has ...
Ep 17: Sake, mirin and other animals (Interview with Kinu Yukawa)
April 29, 2021 09:00 - 42 minutes - 29.4 MBA great interview about sake, cooking, mirin and other things with Kinu Yukawa. She is a Japanese chef and cookery teacher from Kobe, Japan, currently based in London. She ventured into the world of food early in life and fostered the basics of cooking from her grandmother. Later she trained in French cuisine at Ecole Ritz Escoffier Paris and traditional Japanese cuisine in Kyoto. Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has ...