In-Store Saturday Tastings – March Tastings of Note
March 7th - Dassai Blue 50 Tasting (50, 50 DRY, 50 HOT, 50 NIGORI) with Chihiro Kurinami
WHEN: Saturday, March 7th from 2:00 – 4:00 PM
WHERE: True Sake 556 Hayes Street
WHO: Chihiro Kurinami from Dassai Inc.
WHAT: Free Sake Tasting for 21+ with ID
We welcome back to the True Sake tasting counter Chihiro Kurinami from the world famous sake powerhouse, Dassai Inc. We thought it would be a fun idea to explore the many variations of Hyde Park New York's gateway sake, Dassai Blue 50. I casually asked Chihiro-san how these new products came to be, and she explained to me that this is what her customers are asking for. I could only imagine John Doe Sake Buyer point blank asking a Dassai rep, "Do you have any dry sake? What about hot sake? I like dry sake, and I like hot sake." Ask and you shall receive. Got to give the people what they want! This is actually kind of a genius move, as there's no room for misinterpretation. Come swing by on March the 7th and see how these Blue 50's differ from one another. Be one of the first to try a hot Dassai, on purpose!
March 14th - Fifth Taste Tasting (Chikuma Nishiki Brewery, Koueigiku Shuzo, Chiyo Shuzo) with Paul Chung (1st Time! Debut!)
WHEN: Saturday, March 14th from 2:00 – 4:00PM
WHERE: True Sake 556 Hayes Street
WHO: NorCal Sales Manager, Paul Chung from Fifth Taste
WHAT: Free Sake Tasting for 21+ with ID
We welcome to the True Sake tasting counter for the first time ever, Paul Chung, the NorCal Sales Manager from Fifth Taste. This time around, Paul will be showcasing the Fifth Taste Imports line, including some sakes that will be making their debut at our store. Fifth Taste is a friend of the shop, and this is a rare appearance for them. If you're a fan of bold and unpasteurized sakes, then you do not want to miss this tasting.
March 21st - Regal Wine Co. Tasting (Fuji Shuzo, Tomita Shuzo, Hakuto Shuzo) with Sake Legend Tamiko Ishidate
WHEN: Saturday, March 21st from 2:00 – 4:00PM
WHERE: True Sake 556 Hayes Street
WHO: Tamiko Ishidate from Regal Wine Co.
WHAT: Free Sake Tasting for 21+ with ID
We welcome back to the True Sake tasting counter The 2022 International Sake Soul of The Year, Tamiko Ishidate. Nowadays, you can find Tamiko-san repping the Regal Wine Co. sake portfolio and on March 21st, she'll be highlighting sake from Ishikawa, Shimane, and Shiga. One sake brewery spotlight worth mentioning is Hakuto Shuzo from Ishikawa, as they were greatly affected by the 7.6 magnitude 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake. Recently, they've recovered, recuperated, and started importing again. Come on out and take part in a truly fun and eye-opening sake tasting with Tamiko-san and True Sake!
March 28th - East West Wine Trading (Takeda Shuzoten, Tamanohikari Sake Brewing Co., Tsuchida Shuzo, Koyama Honke Shuzo) with Napa Legend Eduardo Dingler
WHEN: Saturday, March 28th from 2:00 – 4:00PM
WHERE: True Sake 556 Hayes Street
WHO: Eduardo Dingler representing East West Wine Trading
WHAT: Free Sake Tasting for 21+ with ID
We welcome back to the True Sake tasting counter Napa legend, sake lover, and objectively the best dressed gentleman in sake, Eduardo Dingler. Edo-san has quite the palate, and he will be showcasing a very diverse range of sake from all over Japan including Niigata, Gunma, Kyoto, and Saitama. There will be literally a sake style for everyone out there, so I highly recommend coming out to this tasting. This is the best way to try sake from outside your comfort zone. Who knows, you might become a minimally polished sake fan overnight! Or you might become a doburoku fan overnight. If not, don't worry... we'll be pouring a Daiginjo too. =)
April 4th - Heavensake Tasting with Mio Okura
WHEN: Saturday, April 4th from 2:00 – 4:00 PM
WHERE: True Sake 556 Hayes Street
WHO: Mio Okura from Heavensake
WHAT: Free Sake Tasting for 21+ with ID
Making her debut at the True Sake tasting counter is Los Angeles-based Mio Okura representing Regis Camus's Heavensake. For those that are not familiar with Heavensake, there is more to it than a flashy looking bottle. Regis Camus is given the keys to the kingdom, or in this case, breweries. He visits world-renowned breweries such as Konishi Shuzo, Dewazakura Shuzo, and Urakasumi Shuzo... takes their existing sake and blends brand new amalgamations that have never been seen before. It's quite interesting actually, to see a brand new product that is kind of hiding in plain sight at the brewery. In a sake world filled with wine buzzwords and tropes, this surpasses expectations and makes a final product that needs to be tasted, ASAP. Come hang out with Mio-san as she makes the trip up to the Bay Area, and find out why Heavensake meets the expectations of the True Sake Somms...