The British Sake Association sends heartfelt congratulations to Japan’s new Emperor. His accession heralds the beginning of a new era known as ReiWa (Beautiful or Auspicious Harmony). Long may he reign.
Author Archives: britishsakeassoc
Ceramic Workshop with Imahiko Kawamura
A special event, exclusively for the British Sake Association.
In this workshop you are invited to make your very own sake pots with the renowned Japanese potter Imahiko Kawamura. Ima-san will guide you as you make a choko (cup) and either a tokkuri (bottle) or katakuchi (lipped dish for pouring sake), using a slab or coiled technique (no wheels).
When: Monday 15th April 2019 from 6.30- 8..30 pm
Where: 100 Richmond Avenue, Islington, London N1 0LS (nearest tube: Angel)
Cost: £45 Members £55 non-members (includes all materials – for two vessels – glazing and firing.) Japanese nibbles and of course some sake to keep you going! Bookings via events@britishsakeassociation.org
PLACES ARE STRICTLY LIMITED AND PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS
About the Event
As this is primarily a ceramics event we will present one sake only, but at two or three different temperatures: room, chilled and warm, so this will be a chance to try out different drinking vessels, and different temperatures. Throughout, Ima-san and Shirley will chat informally about ceramics, as well as introducing us to some of the guiding principles of Japanese tableware.
We will begin at 6.30 prompt and pack up at 8.30. At the end of the session Ima-san will take your pots away, and glaze and fire them for you at her kiln. Finished pots will be returned to you after firing (details of how we do this to be confirmed on the night)
Imahiko Kawamura is a ceramic artist who exhibits regularly at museums and galleries in the UK and Japan. She specializes in making decorative porcelain vessels and vases with a crystalline glaze, using methods based on Japanese tableware. She enjoys passing on her extensive knowledge of working with clay to all levels, as well as introducing Japanese tableware and the history of Japanese ceramics.
WSET Level 3 Award in Sake
Four-Day weekend course with VSF Wine Education and Kanpai Sake Brewery.
Get a sake qualification recognised by the UK Government while visiting a sake brewery in action, right in London!
For individuals seeking to develop their expertise in sake, this qualification will provide you with a detailed understanding of the production methods that affect the style, quality and price of sake. Upon completion you will be able to assess sakes accurately, and use this information and your understanding of sakes to make authoritative recommendations.
This course is for professionals working with sake or sake enthusiasts. After successful completion, you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin.
Please sign up as soon as possible as you are required to complete a two-week online pre-study programme.
Why study with VSF?
- 37 premium sakes will be tasted as part of the course
- We’ll spend Day 2 of the course at Kanpai Sake Brewery & Taproom (the UK’s first sake brewery) in South London to see a sake brewery in action!
- The course is taught by BSA Board Director Marie Cheong-Thong (VSF’s WSET Certified Educator for Sake). Track record for Level 3 Sake: 86% of students passed with “merit” or “distinction” in 2018!
- The course fee includes WSET’s official study materials, classroom tuition, examination, postage and a two-week online pre-study programme.
- Unlimited study support and exercise corrections via email/WhatsApp outside of the classroom.
- You’ll enjoy an exclusive discount on the sakes presented in class
- 1 x FREE ticket (worth up to £45) for VSF’s wine/spirits/sake tasting events
- Students passing the exam with “merit”/“distinction” will receive a £15/£25 voucher, respectively, for purchasing saké and/or books at VSF Shop (www.vsf.wine/vsf-shop)
- Post-exam celebration with the Educator at a saké bar / restaurant and practise your saké tasting skills! (optional)
Where? Central London (Zone1/2)
When? 18th, 19th, 25th and 26th May 2019 (4 days)
- 18 May 2019 (Sat) 09:00-17:00
- 19 May 2019 (Sun) 09:00-17:00
(between 20 May and 24 May: unlimited support and exercise corrections via email/WhatsApp)
- 25 May 2019 (Sat) 09:00-17:00 (including revision & mock exam)
- 26 May 2019 (Sun) 09:00-13:30 (including final revision and a 2.5-hour exam)
Optional: post-exam drinks & dinner at a saké bar / restaurant with our Educator.
Registration closes ca. 15 days prior to the first day of the course as candidates are required to complete a two-week online pre-study programme.
IMPORTANT: We recommend you to spend 28 hours of study time outside of the classroom.
How much? £681.67+VAT (£656.67+VAT per person for 2 or more persons booking together)
Special Package: “From Zero to Hero” (WSET Levels 1 + 3 Award in Sake) – Please refer to our flyer for “WSET Level 1 Award in Sake” for further details.
BSA Members enjoy a special 10% discount on WSET Level 1 Award in Sake, WSET Level 3 Award in Sake and the “From Zero to Hero” package. Please claim your promo code by sending an email to BSA’s Treasurer & Membership Secretary Brian Smith (membership@britishsakeassociation.org) and book on our website (www.vsf.wine/sake-courses) directly.
Sign up now, pay later? You may be eligible for PayPal Credit’s instalment plans. This service is only available in select countries (including the UK). Please visit your local PayPal website for specific details and application. Once approved, please choose PayPal as your payment method at check-out.
Please spread the word and invite your friends and colleagues to tag along! Visit www.vsf.wine or write us an email at info@vsf.wine if you have any questions.
WSET Level 1 Award in Sake
This qualification provides a hands-on introduction to the world of sake. You will explore the main types and styles of sake through sight, smell, and taste, while also gaining the basic skills to describe sakes accurately, and make food and sake pairings.
No previous experience of sake tasting is necessary to register on this course.
Course Synopsis:
- The basic principles of sake production
- The main types and styles of sake
- How to serve sake
- Factors affecting the flavour of sake
- How to describe sake using the WSET Level 1 Systematic Approach to Tasting Sake® (SAT)
This course is for those starting a sake career or pursuing an interest in sake.
After successful completion, you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin.
Why study with VSF?
- This course is taught by BSA Board Director Marie Cheong-Thong (VSF’s WSET Certified Educator for Sake). Track record for Level 1 Sake: 100% pass rate, with most students getting over 90% and many getting full marks!
- 8 premium sakes will be tasted as part of the course
- The course fee includes WSET’s official study materials, classroom tuition, examination and postage
- You’ll enjoy an exclusive discount on the sakes presented in class
- Exclusive mirin-making session – roll your sleeves up and make your own mirin (a sweet cooking condiment similar to sake) to take home!
- 1 x FREE ticket (worth up to £45) for VSF’s wine/spirits/sake tasting events
- Students passing the exam will receive a £15 voucher for purchasing sake and/or books at VSF Shop (www.vsf.wine/vsf-shop)
- Post-exam celebration with the Educator at a sake bar / restaurant and practise your sake tasting skills! (optional)
Where? Central London (Zone1/2)
When? 17 March 2019 (Sun) 09:00-17:00
(including an exam comprising 30 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 45 minutes)
Optional: post-exam drinks & dinner at a saké bar / restaurant with our Educator
How much? £198.33+VAT (£181.67+VAT per person for two or more persons booking together)
Special Package: “From Zero to Hero” (WSET Levels 1 + 3 Award in Sake): £813.33+VAT only (saves £80 (incl. VAT); original price: £880+VAT) for one person, or £771.67+VAT per person only for 2 or more persons booking together (saves £80 per person (incl. VAT); original price: £838.33+VAT per person). Please choose the date for your Level 1 course during registration. You may take Level 3 within 15 months (open-dated) after completion of your Level 1 course.
BSA Members enjoy a special 10% discount on WSET Level 1 Award in Sake, WSET Level 3 Award in Sake and the “From Zero to Hero” package. Please claim your promo code by sending an email to BSA’s Treasurer & Membership Secretary Brian Smith (membership@britishsakeassociation.org) and book on our website (www.vsf.wine/sake-courses) directly.
Sign up now, pay later? You may be eligible for PayPal Credit’s instalment plans. This service is only available in select countries (including the UK). Please visit your local PayPal website for specific details and application. Once approved, please choose PayPal as your payment method at check-out.
Please spread the word and invite your friends and colleagues to tag along! Visit www.vsf.wine or write us an email at info@vsf.wine if you have any questions.
Grand Christmas Sake Tasting 2018
Come and join us to celebrate the end of 2018 bonenkai-style with a Grand Tasting of sakes at our second riverside tasting extravaganza.
Date: Monday 3rd December 2018
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Location: The Star and Garter
4 Lower Richmond Road, Putney SW15 1JN
Tel: 020 8788 0345
The sakes will be accompanied by buffet-style food platter and there are raffle prizes to be won, with proceeds going to one British and one Japanese charity.
Cost: £25 BSA members £30 non-members
Please book through events@britishsakeassociation.org
