A different drink

Appreciation deepens for premium sake

At Nickiemoto's restaurant in Atlanta, premium sake is served cold in a standard wine glass.

July 6, 1999
Web posted at: 3:08 p.m. EDT (1908 GMT)

In this story: Tips for choosing and serving sake Expert recommendations RELATED STORIES, SITES

By Wendy Wolfenbarger
Interactive Food Editor

(CNN) -- Think of sake as a warm drink served with your sushi? Think again. What about sake that is crisp and cool, savored slowly from a wine glass and paired with fine foods?

Premium sake (sah-kay) is an up-and-coming drink. Imported from Japan or made domestically, the high-end sake started trickling across the United States about five years ago.

	SAKE RECOMMENDATIONS:
Domestic producer Olson recommends Momokawa, based in Forest Grove, Oregon. There are other American producers but not at the same quality level, he says. Top Importers The best -- Japan Prestige Sake Association. Also excellent -- Sake Service Institute of Japan.
More key ingredients ---------------- Apple Broccolini Cardamom Catfish Celeriac Chipotles Dark chocolate Green Chiles Grits Jerusalem artichoke Lean ground beef Lemongrass Lovage Nutmeg Parmigiano-Reggiano Pumpkin Red Wine Rice Wine Vinegar Sage Sake Watermelon Yams Zucchini
	VIDEO
Join CNN's Kalin Thomas-Samuel for a sake tasting QuickTime Play Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

"This isn't a trend, this is real," says Steven Olson, president of Libations, a company that specializes in education and consultation on wine and spirits. "People are liking this stuff."

Sake is fermented from milled rice, and most varieties are pasteurized. Although often grouped into the beer classification, premium sake seems closer in characteristics to wine.

Serving sake hot is a classic technique traditionally meant to mask the taste of low-quality brews. But with finer sakes, chilling brings out the best flavor.

Olson says good sake can be had for about $10 to $20 a bottle. While prices can go much higher, he doesn't recommend going much lower.

Premium sake is sold in spirit stores throughout the United States but is easier to find in larger markets. Some Japanese restaurants sell sake by the glass, a good way to taste on a small scale.

Tips for choosing and serving sake

While warm sake is often served in small ceramic cups, premium sake is perfectly at home in a basic wine glass.

If you can't find premium sake in your area, ask the local liquor store to order it.