Take advantage of this great opportunity to apply for places at this event at The Embassy of Japan on 8 September 2010. Ten places are available to webmagazine readers. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and the application must be made before 17:30 on Friday, September 3rd. To apply email webmagazine@ld.mofa.go.jp with the subject 'sake' and provide your name, organisation, email address and daytime telephone number. You will receive an email confirming your attendance and you will need this to enter the Embassy. Please note that registration is essential.

The Sake Samurai Association, together with the Embassy of Japan, is proud to host this prestigious sake tasting event to showcase some of the finest Sake in the world. The sake on offer at this event are all award winners from this year's International Wine Challenge (IWC), the world¡Çs largest sake competition outside of Japan.

The Sake Samurai Association (www.sakesamurai.jp) was established in 2004 as a junior council for the Japan Sake Brewers Association to protect sake and Japanese traditions at home, and also to promote them internationally, and has contributed to the increased popularity of sake and Japanese food overseas in recent years.

In partnership with the International Wine Challenge which is a renowned wine judging authority (www.internationalwinechallenge.com), IWC sake judging was launched in 2007 and has since grown to become the biggest sake competition outside Japan. Its results and the world-wide publicity make a significant contribution to the awareness of sake internationally.

This year, 406 different sakes were entered to the competition in April in London. Judging was divided into 5 categories of different styles of sake - Honjozo, Ginjo/Daiginjo, Junmai, Junmai Ginjo/Junmai Daiginjo and Koshu. After the announcement of various awards over many months, 14 trophy-winning finalists await the announcement of this year's sake champion at the IWC Award dinner in London on the 7th September.

To celebrate the great achievement of the 14 kuramotos (sake makers), The Embassy of Japan is kindly staging this event and His Excellency Shin Ebihara, the Japanese Ambassador to the UK will be welcoming the enthusiastic guests to toast over sublime sakes.