Sake Master Class Event "Japanese Sake: 9 Selected Brands”
2025/2/3
On February 3, the Embassy of Japan and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) co-hosted a Sake masterclass event, "9 Brands Sake," at the Centre for Public Information and Culture, inviting restaurant and sommelier industry professionals and government officials from Ottawa to improve knowledge of sake and promote sake in Canada and its exports. Mr. Michael Tremblay, who was awarded the title of "Sake Samurai "* in 2018 is actively promoting sake in Canada and abroad as a sommelier and sake studies lecturer, as well as in the sake education business, including the establishment of his own "Saké Scholar Course".
This event was held in conjunction with "Sake Month," a sake campaign that JETRO is co-sponsoring with the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) from February 2 to March 1 this year. The nine brands offered at the event will also be available for purchase at the LCBO's King Edwards store near the Embassy. It is hoped that this event and "Sake Month" will go hand in hand to further promote sake in Canada.
Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi made an opening speech, in which he spoke about the long and rich history of sake and expressed his desire to promote the spread of sake in Canada and to promote sake exports.
Ms. Yamada, Director General of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), also expressed her hope that the Sake Month event with the LCBO would be an opportunity to further increase awareness of Japanese sake in Canada.
Next, Mr. Shotaro Ozawa, President of the Sake Institute of Ontario (SIO) and President and CEO of Ozawa Canada Inc., expressed his desire to further promote sake in the restaurant industry in Ottawa, where the embassy is located.
After the Kagami-biraki and toast, the lecture began with a presentation by Ms. Noriko Suzuki, president of Brasserie San-O, who provided snacks made with koji for pairing with sake for this event.
Afterwards, Mr. Tremblay began with the basic knowledge about sake, explaining from a scientific point of view the analysis of umami ingredients and the pairing with foodstuffs focusing on them, characteristics depending on climate, and so on. Participants tasted 9 types of sake to be sold at the Sake Month and deepened their knowledge with Mr. Tremblay's explanation.
Agents who are active in the daily distribution of sake in Canada also participated in this event, and after the lecture, they had deepening exchanges with other participants, including people from restaurants in the Ottawa area. It is hoped that the sake business will be further promoted through such exchanges.
*The "Sake Samurai" is a title awarded by the Japan Sake Brewers Association to promote the history and excellence of sake and sake culture in Japan and abroad through a variety of activities. To date, there are approximately 100 "Sake Samurai" around the world.
This event was held in conjunction with "Sake Month," a sake campaign that JETRO is co-sponsoring with the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) from February 2 to March 1 this year. The nine brands offered at the event will also be available for purchase at the LCBO's King Edwards store near the Embassy. It is hoped that this event and "Sake Month" will go hand in hand to further promote sake in Canada.
Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi made an opening speech, in which he spoke about the long and rich history of sake and expressed his desire to promote the spread of sake in Canada and to promote sake exports.
Ms. Yamada, Director General of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), also expressed her hope that the Sake Month event with the LCBO would be an opportunity to further increase awareness of Japanese sake in Canada.
Next, Mr. Shotaro Ozawa, President of the Sake Institute of Ontario (SIO) and President and CEO of Ozawa Canada Inc., expressed his desire to further promote sake in the restaurant industry in Ottawa, where the embassy is located.
After the Kagami-biraki and toast, the lecture began with a presentation by Ms. Noriko Suzuki, president of Brasserie San-O, who provided snacks made with koji for pairing with sake for this event.
Afterwards, Mr. Tremblay began with the basic knowledge about sake, explaining from a scientific point of view the analysis of umami ingredients and the pairing with foodstuffs focusing on them, characteristics depending on climate, and so on. Participants tasted 9 types of sake to be sold at the Sake Month and deepened their knowledge with Mr. Tremblay's explanation.
Agents who are active in the daily distribution of sake in Canada also participated in this event, and after the lecture, they had deepening exchanges with other participants, including people from restaurants in the Ottawa area. It is hoped that the sake business will be further promoted through such exchanges.
*The "Sake Samurai" is a title awarded by the Japan Sake Brewers Association to promote the history and excellence of sake and sake culture in Japan and abroad through a variety of activities. To date, there are approximately 100 "Sake Samurai" around the world.
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| Ambassador Yamanouchi delivers opening remarks |
Remarks by Ms. Yamada, Director, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) |
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| Remarks by Mr. Ozawa, President of the Sake Institute of Ontario (SIO) |
Lecture on koji by Ms. Noriko Suzuki, president of Brasserie San-O |
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| Mr. Tremblay, a Sake Samurai, shares his fascination with sake. |
9 brands used for tasting |
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| Snacks and 9 sake glasses at this event In addition to the koji snacks, Azuma Foods also provided snacks. |
The venue filled with participants |
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| Interaction between sake agents and participants after the lecture | |