It is with great excitement and anticipation for the future of sake in Australia that I welcome you to Sake Online.
When I first started promoting sake in Australia 12 years ago, I could only dream of the extensive choice of sake that is now available in this country. It is beyond my wildest expectation to also have this range accessible by the Internet and available for home delivery!
I am very proud to be the ambassador for Sake Online and I look forward to sharing my love of sake with other sake enthusiasts and novices alike. Every month I will focus on a different aspect of my experiences with sake and hopefully go some way to improving your knowledge of sake and demystify many of the myths surrounding one of the most enjoyable drinks on the planet.
Sake has so much depth and diversity, but unfortunately it is often overlooked and greatly misunderstood. Here at Sake Online you will discover a diverse range to be enjoyed on any occasion or with any meal, whether it be with obvious pairings such a sashimi or lightly grilled fish or not so obvious matches such a summer BBQ or a Sunday roast.
To celebrate the launch of Sake Online, I hope you will join me in sampling some of the offerings available. To help you get started I have selected three favorites that I believe are perfect to enjoy over the Christmas break and would also make excellent gifts that are out of the ordinary and delicious at the same time.
 |
Kizakura Kimoto Yamahai
With Christmas generally filled with hearty roasts and the fragrance of bbq in the air, there is no better match than Kizakura Kimoto Yamahai. Kizakura, a brewery based in Kyoto has a long and prestigious tradition of sake brewing and their yamahai is wonderfully diverse “all-rounder” sake that is well matched with richer meat dishes. The longer fermentation at lower temperature adds a depth and boldness without being overpowering. |
 |
Yukinobosha Junmai Ginjo
With the increasing popularity of the seafood Christmas lunch we need to turn our attention to something a little more delicate. Yuki no Bosha Junmai Ginjo from Akita, has a beautiful but subtle fruity ginjo fragrance. The palate shows hints of apple, pear and melon with a very clean and slightly dry finish. Perfect for shrimp on the Barbie! |
 |
Choya Umeshu
Christmas is never complete without the sweet stuff! Ume Shu is a delicious semi-sweet plum wine from Japan that is the perfect accompaniment to Christmas Fruit cake or Sticky Date Pudding. Its balanced sweetness is also just as enjoyable as a long drink over ice on a hot summer’s afternoon. Choya Umeshu is one of the best-recognized Ume Shus available in Australia. Its versatility makes it enjoyable neat, over ice or in a cocktail. |
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Please click here to get your sake: http://www.sakeonline.com.au
Andre Bishop is a Melbourne based Sake Professional and is recognized as one of Australia’s leading authorities on Sake. His 12 years of experience in designing Asian and specifically Japanese venues include well know Melbourne establishments Robot Bar and Golden Monkey. He currently owns the 22 year old Japanese dining institution Izakaya Chuji and Sake Bar Nihonshu. He is also co-owner and founder of Melbourne’s flagship Izakaya and Sake Bar, Kumo in Brunswick East. Andre studied Sake in Japan and is the only Australian who currently holds a Level 2 Sake Professional Certificate from the International Sake Education Council.
Andre is available for Consulting on Sake, Japanese Beverage Lists, Sake Staff Training and Sake Equipment. Contact: andrebishopsan@gmail.com
Please click here for Sake Master Andre Bishop’s old interview
