Discover Award-Winning Sakes From Shizuoka in Singapore: Jizake Tasting Festival!
We have something interesting to announce! Shizuoka Prefecture is collaborating with Hokkaido and Ishikawa Prefectures for the Japanese Local Sake (Jizake) Tasting Festival in Singapore - where they will offer Sake Tastings at 9 restaurants in Singapore for only a limited period of time!
Where is Shizuoka Prefecture? What is the Japanese Local Sake (Jizake) Tasting Festival? How does this work?
If you are a devotee of Sake, read on for the full details! I told you so, don’t miss out on this!
Where is Shizuoka Prefecture, and what is it famous for?
I'm sure when we have to name one of the few top attractions in Japan, Mount Fuji will come into most traveler's minds! YES! Shizuoka Prefecture (sharing with Yamanashi prefecture) is home to Mount Fuji, a National Symbol in Japan!
While Shizuoka Prefecture may be famous for its tea productions, there is also something increasingly popular in Shizuoka - their homebrew Sakes!
In 1985, Shizuoka's local Sake achieved what can be described as the Japanese Sake version of "Bottle Shock" at the National Sake Competition. The movie Bottle Shock (2008 USA) is based on the true story of how California wine, previously considered a second-rate region for wines, beat out French wines and obtained first place at the wine blind tasting contest in Paris in 1976.
Up until then, Shizuoka Sake was almost unknown. However, during the 1985 National Sake Competition, 17 out of the 21 Sake brands from Shizuoka Prefecture won numerous prizes, and 10 of them won the most prestigious prize - the Gold Award, making Shizuoka Sake famous in Japan from then!
Shizuoka’s abundance of spring water and top-quality yeast
Source: Shoryudo
Yeast is extremely essential in the fermentation process, and it is a determinant in producing the aroma of Sakes. One of the contributions to the great success of Shizuoka’s Sakes was their self-made Shizuoka Yeast.
Shizuoka yeast was developed by Mr. Denbei Kawamura (1943 - 2016), an engineer at the Numazu Industrial Technology Centre in Shizuoka Prefecture, who was described as a person who is overenthusiastic about Sake brewing.
Sake brewed with Shizuoka yeast is said to be pleasant to drink and free from impurities. It tastes fruity and pairs well with food. This is the taste that Mr. Kawamura was aiming for, which took Shizuoka Prefecture to a great leap forward as the new and best production area for Sakes. Shizuoka yeast, since then, has been widely adopted by breweries in the prefecture.
Apart from the production of high-quality yeast, Shizuoka Prefecture's abounding natural resources such as the spring water from Mount Fuji and clear blue rivers everywhere makes the whole prefecture a treasure trove of clean water. The pure water, combined with Shizuoka yeast (and the passion of its brewers), has led to the creation of Shizuoka's local Sake - Ginjo (吟醸) Sake. Ginjo sake is a light, fruity, and complex flavor that is usually quite fragrant. Shizuoka's Ginjo Sake was chosen as the toast of the evening at G8 Summit 2008 in Japan.
Japanese Local Sake (Jizake) Tasting Festival in Singapore
According to statistics, Singapore is the largest export market of Japan’s Sakes among the other ASEAN countries - this is how much Sakes are loved by Singaporeans!
Besides all these, we know how much all of us miss traveling…..hence here’s a way you can actually “travel” to Japan!
From 18th January to 17th February 2021, Shizuoka Prefecture, in collaboration with Hokkaido and Ishikawa Prefectures, will offer Sake Tasting Menus at 9 restaurants in Singapore. Not only just sake tastings, but you will also take a virtual tour around the 3 prefectures as the representatives from Hokkaido, Shizuoka, and Ishikawa prefectures take you along to each famous attractions and the activities you can do in their prefecture!
Not only can you taste Japan's premium range of sakes from Shizuoka Prefecture right in the heart of Singapore, but also experience the chance to know more about their culture through their virtual tour!
The 9 participating restaurants include:
Note that the price for the Sake Tasting Menus differs at each restaurant!
This is what you will be expecting!
From Hokkaido prefecture, they will be serving Kitanoshiki Junmai Daiginjo - clean, light, and slightly sweet. From Ishikawa Prefecture, it will be Nichiei Kinsai Junmaishu with Kaga Gold Leaf - it’s dry yet refreshing and contains Kaga gold leaf. And from Shizuoka Prefecture, you will have Hananomai Junmai Ginjo - a fruity (banana) taste and a creamy texture!
For more information, do visit the Jizake Tasting Festival Singapore official website.
In addition to all of the above, a "Teppei x Shizuoka Fair 2021" will be held at Teppei Japanese Restaurant for the whole of March 2021!
You will be anticipating Kaiun Daiginjo (an award-winning Sake at many competitions) from Doi Sake Brewery during this fair, and also an Omakase menu that will feature Shizuoka’s fresh seafood, vegetables, green tea, and fruits!
Teppei Japanese Restaurant
Address: 1 Tras Link, 01-18 Orchid Hotel, Singapore 078867
Contact Number: 8831 5185
For more information, check out Teppei Restaurant’s Facebook page.
