Valentine's Gifts for Sake Lovers

Valentine’s Day is celebrated a little differently in Japan. On February 14th, women give gifts to men. These gifts don’t always signify romance, many are obligatory gifts given to fathers, bosses and colleagues, or to male friends. There are also those given to lovers, husbands and boyfriends. But this is all a bit one way isn’t it?!

Well, a month later on March 14th, White Day is celebrated. Men are obligated to give gifts to those who gave to them, only the value of those gifts is meant to be triple that of the gift they were given. So men don’t do nearly as well as it might have appeared! Gifts are traditionally white and are often confectionary of some kind.

So what to give the sake lover in your life for Valentine’s Day? Here are a few suggestions:

The sake with a love story:

"Ryu No Namida" Junmai Ginjo: An elegant and smooth Junmai Ginjo, Ryo no Namida translates as “Dragon’s Tears”. The story behind this sake’s name is sad, but undeniably romantic. A mountain-dwelling dragon fell in love with a beautiful maiden he saw walking on the beach each day. Every evening he would come down onto the beach and lie in the shadow of her footprints and weep because he knew she would never see him. As his tears fell, they turned into pearls of love which he left on the beach for her to find as a gift to show his love for her. She found the dragon’s tears and collected them up, making them into a pearl necklace which she wore. The dragon looked down on her and smiled, his love making the pearls shine, reflecting her beauty. Available from Sushi & Robate at Genji and Wholefoods Market, High Street Kensington.

Pink Sakes:

"Amabuki Rose" Junmai:This sake has an unusual light pink hue (from the rice it is made from) and berry notes. It has also been brewed using yeasts from roses, so perfect for Valentine’s Day! Great with seafood. Available from Ueno Gourmet and Nanban, Brixton.

Homare Strawberry Nigori Sake Liqueur: Made from starwberries steeped in Nigori (white, cloudy unfiltered sake containing rice sediment from the brewing process). This beautifully reddy-pink, sweet/sour, creamy textured sake is unusual, yet easy-drinking enough to be a safe choice for both sake geeks and those new to sake. Skip dessert and have this instead! Available from The Japan Centre

Champagne-style Sake:

"Pearl" Sparkling Junmai Daiginjo Nigori: Made by the Champagne Method (with a second fermentation in the bottle) this is a fine example of sparkling sake. It’s more sophisticated than the popular sour-sweet styles of sparkling sake, with distinct sake flavours. Medium sweet, lightly cloudy (due to a light rice sediment), this has apple, pear and peach notes. Available from Tengusake.com.

With Valentine's Dinner oysters and seafood:

Urakasumi "Zen" Junmai Ginjo: This sake hails from highly respected Urakasumi Brewery, located in Shiogama, a town in Miyagi famed for its sushi and seafood. It pairs up beautifully with oysters and the local seafood it has historically been drunk with. Available from Hedonism and 31Dover.com

With Valentine chocolates or as a digestif:

Kijyo Daikoshu Furudokei Kijyoshu blended 72/73/74: A complex, aged sake with bitter coffee and chocolate notes. This matches well with dark chocolate tarts, fondues and other puddings.  This is the one to get if you are really pushing the boat out. A versatile, food-friendly sake, it also matches up well with meat, game, foie gras and venison for those without a sweet tooth. Available from Vagabond Wines, Charlotte Street

Sake Kit Kats: Sake and chocolate makes an excellent match, so alongside other typically Japanese flavours like matcha (green tea), wasabi and red bean, there’s a sake-infused Kit Kat! Perfect as a gift for White Day! Available from The Japan Centre