Curious about the different strains of rice used to make premium Japanese sake? Join us at West London Wine School for the first session in our 3-part  sake varietal series to learn all about the very first sake-specific rice strain that was purposefully bred: Omachi. Whether you are already a professed Omachi sake lover or brand new to the world of sake, this evening class will be a great introduction to the impact that rice can have on the beverage.

Omachi rice was discovered by a farmer growing wild in southern Japan in 1859. This iconic rice strain is an ancestor to most of the 100+ sake-specific rice varieties existing in Japan today. Notoriously difficult to grow and just as hard to brew sake with, the farmers and brewers championing this temperamental rice are incredibly passionate about it. Famous for its green, herbaceous character, Omachi is a secret weapon for food pairing challenges like asparagus, bitter greens and artichokes. It has a cult following in Japan and abroad, with self-styled “Omachist” superfans seeking the varietal out above all others. Join us for a deep-dive into the fascinating story of this rice and the incredible sake it makes!
This class is suitable for all levels, from total sake newcomers to those who are currently studying or have already completed WSET or other sake credential courses and want to hone their sake tasting skills and go in-depth into this fascinating varietal.During the class you will taste six premium Omachi sake across a range of styles, accompanied by fine cheeses and nibbles. 

Cost: £45 per person, or £40 if booking for our full 3-part rice varietal series

About the Instructor and School:

Sarah Stewart teaches on sake, wine and cheese at West London Wine School. She has extensive sake and wine qualifications, and also volunteers as the Membership & Events Officer for the British Sake Association. She lived in Japan for two years and returns annually to continue her beverage studies there. She has also 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 Japan. You can find her @sakestudies on Instagram.

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.