By V. Sivaji
Asiaeuro Wines & Spirits launched its new packaging of Saito sake for the benefit of Penangites at the Secret Square along Karpal Singh Drive recently.
The rew range consists of three varieties and packaging, namely the Sake Green (Saito Dry Karakuchi) – a refreshing, dry sake that is light bodied with little added distilled alcohol and a moderate aroma, Sake Brown (Saito Junmai) – featuring a slightly heavier taste of rice compared to the Karakuchi, Junmai is medium bodied with fruity green apple aromas and a bit of an acidic finish.
Made with at least 30% milled rice and the Sake Red (Saito Junmai Daiginjo) – similar to the Junmai, Daiginjo is made from Yamadanishiki rice (the most suitable for brewing sake). It features a fine fruity aroma like pear, and has a much richer flavour and a gentle finish.
Oh hand to introduce the range was Asiaeuro Regional Marketing Director and sommelier Tan Yew Wei along with Northern Region Director William Chong and their team.
Guests had the chance to sample the new sake varieties along with some delectable Japanese dishes put out by Secret Square food and beverage team.
“The new range is also flavoured or fruity to suit the younger drinkers and also to go with fine Japanese dishes. So, now we can offer old world and new world sake available for sake enthusiasts.They are packed in 1.8ml, 720ml and 300ml to suit one’s needs, said Tan.
Guests were also entertained by the in-house band while dining and enjoying the sake.
Meanwhile, Saito Sake is brewed in Fushimi, in the southern part of Kyoto, where the underground water source has a perfect balance of potassium and magnesium, and also iron-free, that is the ideal composition for producing sake.
Kyoto’s climate (and especially its renowned ‘Sokobie’ cold winters) create the perfect conditions for brewing one of the best sakes in Japan, creating the signature smooth and clean taste and character. ‘Sai’ means colourful, luxurious, and beautiful, and ‘To’ means capital, and together, ‘Saito’ becomes a beautiful city that people can imagine in their mind’s eye.
For the information of the uninitiated, sake is a Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice. Sake is light in colour, is noncarbonated, has a sweet flavour, and contains about 14 to 16 percent alcohol content.
