Japan is famous for its four distinct seasons, which influence all aspects of life – including Japan’s national beverage, sake. Join us at West London Wine School on September 9 to celebrate the last few days of summer and learn all about natsuzake (‘summer sake’) – you will get to  taste some exclusive seasonal releases of summer sakes fresh from Japan and learn just what makes these bottles special.

During this typically hot, muggy season sake styles that help beat the heat in different ways fly off the shelves in Japan. From sparkling sake to lower alcohol / higher acid fruit-forward thirst-quenchers, intense zippy namazake ( unpasteurized sake) to robust full strength genshu styles that stand up to service on the rocks (or even frozen into a slushee!), there is a summer sake style to suit every palate. These varied drinks share some common threads: they are all refreshing, great chilled and easy to enjoy.

At this class you will learn about summer seasonality in Japan, focused on the sake world. We will taste six sake from a variety of summer-friendly styles, accompanied by fine cheeses, Japanese-influenced nibbles and a seasonal wagashi (traditional Japanese sweet) and sake pairing. All sake experience levels are welcome - we'll have lots of detail for the aficionados, but sake newcomers are warmly welcome and no prior knowledge is needed to fully enjoy the night.

About the School and Instructor:

West London Wine School is a local, independent and award-winning wine, sake, beer and cheese education company founded in 2010 and based in the heart of West London. Our courses and tastings focus on enjoying beverages whilst learning more in a relaxed and informal setting with friendly people and industry-leading tutors. If you know what you like and want to find out why, our tastings and courses provide the answer. In 2018 we received the prestigious WSET Educator of the Year Award for the top wine education provider globally, and have an average review score of 5 stars on Trip Advisor.

Our sake tutor Sarah Stewart is a sake judge for the International Wine Challenge and one of the only people in the UK to hold the Japan Sommelier Association’s Sake Diploma International qualification. She completed her WSET Level 3 Sake in 2018 and received the IWC Sake Prize for the highest exam score worldwide that year. She is a Certified Sake Sommelier and Sake Educator with the Sake Sommelier Association, and volunteers as the Membership & Events Officer for the British Sake Association helping to organize sake tastings and events in London. She lived in Japan for two years and returns annually to continue her beverage studies there. She has trained in Urasenke chado, “The Way of Tea”, for the past 17 years, giving her hands-on experience in traditional Japanese methods of service and hospitality and a deep understanding of Japanese seasonal culture. You can find her @sakestudies on Instagram.

Cost: 45 per person