JQ Magazine: The Joy of Sake Returns to NYC

Photos courtesy of Michi Kurisaki

By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02). Justin has written about Japanese arts and entertainment for JETAA since 2005. For more of his articles, click here.

A beverage that can be paired with foods as diverse as sushi, chocolate and even pizza, American sake lovers are eagerly awaiting the return of The Joy of Sake, the world’s largest sake tasting outside Japan, which returns to New York’s Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea on August 4 with the biggest sake celebration in the city’s history.

After a hiatus due to the pandemic, this year’s event will feature a record 576 competition-level sakes (up from 513 in 2019) and top restaurants serving sake-inspired appetizers.

Now in its 21st year, The Joy of Sake celebrates the ancient art of sake-brewing. It features hundreds of premium daiginjo, ginjo and junmai labels from every sake-brewing region in Japan, including over 300 sakes not available in the U.S. “After such a challenging time for everyone,” said Joy of Sake founder Chris Pearce, “we wanted to bring this celebration back better than ever and support both the sake makers and New York’s resilient restaurant scene.”

Sake is basically made from fermented rice and water. But for some types of sake, a small amount of distilled alcohol is added. Sake that is made from only rice and water is called a “junmai.” The grade of sake is determined by how much the rice is polished. The polishing removes undesirable fats so that only the starch center of the grain remains. Premium ginjo sake is much more delicate, balanced, fragrant, and complex than non-premium sake.

A non-profit organization dedicated to fostering appreciation for the ancient craft of sake-making, The Joy of Sake hosts annual events in New York and Honolulu, and has grown from 124 sakes in 2001 to nearly 600 this year. Over half are ultra-premium daiginjo sakes, made from the innermost core of the rice grain.

Admission includes appetizers from participating restaurants and unlimited samplings of sake. This year’s diverse line-up of Japanese and Asian-themed eateries adds newcomers Kissaki, Sarashina Horii, Juban, Kimika, Rule of Thirds, Katsuya and Towa, along with returning favorites Bond ST, Sakagura, En Japanese Brasserie, Zuma, Insa, Sen Sakana, Momoya and Yopparai.

The Joy of Sake will be held Thursday, August 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street. For more information and tickets, visit www.joyofsake.com.

For more JQ articles, click here.