C5 - Storage and Service of Sake - completed Flashcards
Which four points should be considered when storing sake?
- keep it cool
- drink it young
- store the bottle upright
- avoid bright light
At what temperature should sake be stored?
- for short-term, below 12°C
- ideally refrigerated - below 8°C
- refrigeration is important to nama-zake and ginjo sakes.
At what temperature should nama-zake be stored?
Refrigerated, no higher than 5-8°C
Which style of sake has the shortest shelf life?
- Nama-zake
- Should be consumed within a six months of shipping from the brewery
Why should sake be stored upright?
To avoid contact between the liquid and the foil-lined stopper or metal cap
Why should sake be stored away from bright light?
- strong sunshine and artificial light, as well as heating can induce oxidation
- that makes the sake old and stale.
- Amino acids and vitamins in sake degrade on exposure to light, causing discolour and unpleasant aromas and bitter flavours.
How long will ginjō styles of sake stay fresh after opening?
Approximately one week
How long will most styles of sake stay fresh after opening?
Approximately two weeks, sometimes longer
What is nama-hine fault?
- An enzyme-derived aroma of nama-zake that has been aged.
- Generally seen as a fault but some drinkers see it as a positive when balanced - will often call it nama-juku (matured nama)
What are four (five) faults that you should check for before serving sake?
- Open too long (oxidisation)
- Out of condition (hine-ka)
- Nama-zake that has not been refrigerated properly (name-hine-ka)
- Light damage
- Microbial spoilage
When serving sake, why should you pour using both hands?
To show the most respect and care
Should ginjō style sake be served room temperature or warm?
- Room temperature - personal preference
- Warm/hot - no
What style of dishes pair well with warm or hot sake?
- Intensely flavoured and heavy textured dishes
e.g. Japanese hotpot or grilled food
Why are ginjō style sakes generally served chilled?
- At warmer temperatures ginjō sakes lose their aromas and flavours
Which styles of sake are best served warm?
- sake with high levels of sweetness, acidity, umami, and relatively high bitterness
- sakes where the acidity is lactic and succinic ie. kimoto and yamahai
- sakes that have been matured ie. koshu
How does warming sake change perception?
warming sake makes them seems:
- More intense
- More full-bodied
- Higher in acidity
Which styles of sake do not benefit from being served warm?
- ginjō (lose delicate aromas)
- nama-zake (lose dissolved CO2, seem less fresh)
- sparkling sake (loses bubbles)
What is nuru-kan?
Sake heated to 40°C
- Comfortable, non-burning warm temperature.
- Translates to ‘the warmth of a relaxing hot spring bath’
What is atsu-kan?
Sake heated to 50°C
- Very hot and slightly burning temperature
- Translates to ‘hot enough to warm body and soul’
What are the two methods that can be used to heat sake?
1- Hot water bath (water should be 80°C)
- sake temperature measured with a thermometer
2- Microwave (20-40 seconds for 180ml)
- sake can be heat unevenly
What is a kan-douko?
A specific utensil for heating sake.
What is the temperature referred to when using the service term ‘chilled’?
6-13°C
Suitable for all types of sake
What is the temperature referred to when using the service term ‘room temperature’?
15-18°C
Best suited to futsū-shu, hon-jōzō, junmai and if personal preference allows, can be used for ginjō
What is an o-choko?
Small sake cup made from pottery or glass
Usually 60mL
What is a kiki-choko?
A small white porcelain sake cup with two concentric blue circles that allow for assessment of clarity.
Used by brewers and judges
What is a tokkuri?
- A sake carafe.
- most common size is about 150-300mL
- made of pottery
- glass tokkuri sometimes has a small ice container built-in
What is a masu?
- A small wooden box made of Japanese cedar.
- sometimes used for drinking sake on ceremonial occasions.
- Usually 180mL, can also be 144mL.
- Traditionally used for measuring rice, not for drinking sake.
In reference to sake standard measurements, what is a gō?
180mL
what size is a sho?
1.8L
what size is a to?
18L