Hello everyone,
This is Chisato Tateno, 2025 Miss SAKE Japan.
On February 24, I had the honor of serving as a judge at The Fine Sake Awards Japan 2026 Judging Session, held at the Morishita Cultural Center in Koto City, Tokyo.
About The Fine Sake Awards Japan
The Fine Sake Awards Japan is one of the largest sake competitions in Japan, established with the aim of rediscovering the appeal of sake through the new perspective of enjoying it in wine glasses. By highlighting aroma, flavor, and diverse ways of appreciation, the award seeks to further develop sake culture and promote its global recognition. Born amid the international expansion of Japanese cuisine, this award demonstrates how the use of wine glasses enhances sake’s delicate aromas, nuanced colors, and elegant palate expression. It also proposes new pairing possibilities beyond traditional Japanese cuisine, expanding sake’s role within global food culture.
Rather than serving merely as a quality competition, the awards aim to overcome three key barriers — engaging younger generations, expanding dining and hospitality opportunities, and promoting sake across borders. Blind tastings are conducted by specialists from Japan and abroad, including industry professionals, media representatives, and culinary experts, to foster new demand while preserving cultural heritage.
This year, more than 1,000 sake entries were submitted, and the official results will be announced at a later date on the official website (https://www.finesakeawards.jp/).
-
- {“ARInfo”:{“IsUseAR”:false},”Version”:”1.0.0″,”MakeupInfo”:{“IsUseMakeup”:false},”FaceliftInfo”:{“IsChangeEyeLift”:false,”IsChangeFacelift”:false,”IsChangePostureLift”:false,”IsChangeNose”:false,”IsChangeFaceChin”:false,”IsChangeMouth”:false,”IsChangeThinFace”:true},”BeautyInfo”:{“SwitchMedicatedAcne”:false,”IsAIBeauty”:false,”IsBrightEyes”:false,”IsSharpen”:false,”IsOldBeauty”:false,”IsReduceBlackEyes”:false},”HandlerInfo”:{“AppName”:2},”FilterInfo”:{“IsUseFilter”:false}}
Experiencing Over 100 Varieties of Sake Through the Five Senses
As a member of Miss SAKE who regularly engages with sake culture, I was deeply honored to participate as a judge. I was reminded of a personal memory: when I once told my grandmother how much I loved sake, she prepared a bottle bearing a medal tag from this very award, along with a wine glass for me to enjoy it properly. For me, this award has always felt familiar and close to heart, making the opportunity to contribute as a judge especially meaningful.
Prior to the tasting, opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Yoshiaki Tsukura, President of Contatsu Co., Ltd. and Executive Committee Representative, who spoke about the award’s philosophy of creating new demand by encouraging people to enjoy sake in wine glasses through cross-industry collaboration. This was followed by an explanation of the judging methodology by Mr. Toshiaki Yamada of the Sake Culture Research Institute.
Judging was conducted in teams of five to six members. Each sake was evaluated within approximately 90 seconds, assessing appearance, aroma, and flavor comprehensively. Each judge reviewed around 100 labels, requiring intense concentration as samples were served at carefully timed intervals.
I personally evaluated 103 sake selections, primarily sparkling sake and Daiginjo categories. Each sake presented distinct aromas, flavors, and finishes, reminding me that the concept of “deliciousness” cannot be defined by a single standard. Throughout the process, I approached every glass sincerely while envisioning people around the world enjoying sake in wine glasses.
The Power of the Glass That Transforms a Single Cup
As part of participation in the judging session, I was honored to receive the award’s original RIEDEL Vinum Daiginjo glass.
Different glass types were used depending on the category — including RIEDEL Junmai glasses for the Premium Junmai category and Champagne glasses for Sparkling SAKE. Experiencing the same sake in different glasses clearly demonstrated how carbonation, aromatic expression, and mouthfeel can change dramatically.
One of sake’s profound charms lies in how the vessel itself influences aroma perception, flavor balance, and even temperature evolution. I encourage everyone to explore these differences at home by experimenting with various glasses and sake ware.
Through this judging experience, I once again realized how the use of wine glasses can greatly expand the expressive potential of sake culture. Even the same bottle reveals entirely new characteristics depending on the vessel, temperature, and occasion — a quality that allows sake to harmonize beautifully with food cultures around the world.
As Miss SAKE, I will continue sharing the appeal of sake not only as a tradition, but as something naturally enjoyed within modern lifestyles and global dining scenes. I sincerely hope that enjoying sake in wine glasses will inspire new encounters with sake and further expand its appreciation both in Japan and internationally.
Chisato Tateno
2025 Miss SAKE Japan
