Draft:Sake challenge

The first Sake Challenge was held in London in 2012 under the name London Sake Challenge, coinciding with the 2012 London Olympic Games. The idea was conceived and competitions founded in 2012 by the Sake Sommelier Association and its founders, Xavier Chapelou^[3] and Kumiko Ohta.^[4]

Since its inception in London in 2012, the Sake Challenge has expanded to several cities worldwide, each contributing to the event’s global influence. The competition now takes place in key cities such as Bordeaux, Luxembourg, Milan, Singapore and so on.^[5]

The Sake Challenge aims to recognise outstanding premium sakes while promoting sake consumption through locally rooted pairings with regional cuisines. By highlighting how sake complements local food cultures, the event seeks to expand new markets and increase global awareness of sake’s versatility, particularly within the context of Japan Life, an event that celebrates Japanese culture.

Inspired by the diversity of Jizake across Japan—where sake styles are closely tied to regional food traditions—each Sake Challenge is designed as a specialised competition tailored to its host market. Focusing on identifying sake styles that best match local cuisines, these bespoke Challenges offer breweries meaningful opportunities to enter and grow within specific regional markets, in contrast to large-scale competitions where individual entries may be overlooked.^[6]

Through bringing together brewers, sommeliers, and industry professionals from around the world, the Sake Challenge fosters knowledge exchange, collaboration, and long-term relationships, contributing to a deeper appreciation of sake and a more connected global sake culture.^[7]

The Sake Challenge employs a rigorous and multi-layered judging process to ensure that every sake is assessed fairly, consistently, and objectively. Rooted in the principles of transparency, expertise, and cultural sensitivity, each sake is evaluated on its own merits rather than through direct comparison with other entries.

All entries are first assessed through a blind tasting conducted by Certified Sake Sommeliers selected by the host of each Sake Challenge. During this stage, judges evaluate each sake individually based on key sensory criteria, including appearance, aroma, flavour, balance, and finish^[8].

This independent, non-comparative judging method was first introduced by the Sake Sommelier Association at the 2012 London Sake Challenge. Since then, it has influenced many sake competitions worldwide and has become a widely adopted standard within the industry.^[9]

Following the professional tasting, each sake is then evaluated separately for label design and packaging. To ensure full objectivity, the individual scores awarded by each judge are combined and averaged to produce a final score for each entry.

The competition awards Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals to the highest scoring sakes in accordance with the judging criteria.^[10]

In addition to the standard medals, the Sake Challenge also bestows special awards for sakes that demonstrate outstanding innovation, regional distinction, or unique flavor profiles. These awards recognize the creativity and diversity within the sake industry.^[11]