Sake guide
Everything you need to order, buy and serve sake with confidence. Five short reads.
01
Sake grades, explained
Junmai, ginjo, daiginjo, honjozo: what the words on a sake label mean, and how much the rice was polished.
02How to read a sake label
The eight words worth knowing on a sake label: polishing ratio, SMV, acidity, rice, nama, genshu, muroka and kimoto.
03Hot, cold or room temperature? How to serve sake
Sake is one of the few drinks served from 5°C to 55°C. A temperature chart with the Japanese names, and which styles suit which.
04Pairing sake with food
Simple, reliable rules for matching sake with sushi, cheese, fried food, spicy dishes and more.
05How to choose your first bottle of sake
A practical guide to buying your first sake in the US: what grade to pick, how much to spend, and how to store it.