At a launch event in London last night, British wine writer Anthony Rose unveiled his new book on “the joys of sake”.

Addressing attendees at the event, which was held at Sake no Hana in Piccadilly, Rose acknowledged the brilliant and comprehensive guide to sake from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), penned by Antony Moss MW, but said that his book was slightly different, and designed “to speak in plain English about the joys of saké”.

Called Sake and the wines of Japan, Rose also said that he believed the timing was right for such a book, as the demand for good sake was on the rise, worldwide.

“Although sake sales are in decline in volume terms, the premium sector is growing in Japan and in exports,” he said.

Drawing attention to a recent high-profile endorsement for the potential of the top-end sake category, he mentioned the fact that Dom Pérignon’s Richard Geoffroy was leaving the Champagne house at the end of this year to create his own sake brewery in partnership with sake specialist the Masuizumi group.

“He is a very high-profile figure, and developments like this are very important for sake,” commented Rose.

Considering the UK specifically, he mentioned the growing prominence of high-end sakes in leading wine shops, such as Hedonism, Bottle Apostle, and multiple specialist Majestic Wine.

However, he added that there was “no decent sake in a supermarket,” commenting that “this is a real challenge for the sake sector”.

Other developments favouring the growth of sake include, according to Rose, a heightened interest in Japan that should arise from the major upcoming sporting events that will be held in the country: the Rugby World Cup next year, followed by the Olympics in 2020.

He also mentioned the arrival in May this year of the Riedel Junmai Glass, the second vessel designed specifically for sake by the glassmaker, following its creation of a Daiginjo glass in 2000.

Explaining the reason for launching a further vessel for sake, the Austrian glassmaker states on its website, “Sake has become the darling of sommeliers in top restaurants around the world.”

Sake and the wines of Japan covers all essential aspects of sake for the newcomer, including the four simple ingredients – rice, kōji, water and yeast – the sake-making process, sake classification and sake tasting.

Rose includes a personal selection of sake brewers as well as a chapter spotlighting sake’s new wave.

The book also includes a chapter on Japan’s small, young wine industry and its best exponents, and a guide to Japan for those visiting the country.

Sake and the wines of Japan is published by Infinite Ideas with an RRP of £30.

It is also available as an eBook.

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JAPAN: INTRODUCING A NEW FRONTIER FOR FINE WINE

Wine writers Anthony Rose (left) and Oz Clarke at the book launch at Sake no Hana. Picture credit: Charmaine Grieger Photography