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As the Indian monsoon sets the mood, the wine fair season begins to take shape—with several key events lined up in the months ahead. We open this edition with insights from our parent blog Guns 2 Gewurztraminer, sharing five reasons why producers should seriously consider India’s wine and spirits fairs.
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From there, we travel to Japan with Master Sake Sommelier Joshua Kalinan, whose reflections offer a thoughtful entry point into sake discovery—especially for first-time visitors. Continuing with the context, we also spotlight Honjozo, a light, smooth sake style that balances tradition and approachability.
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Our curated news piece sheds light on challenges faced by Japanese sake producers, while we wrap up closer home with an easygoing evening of Akashi White Oak whisky, shared with friends from the Defence fraternity.
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We hope this issue offers you fresh insights and flavourful inspiration.
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Marquee wine fairs are around the corner in India with back-to-back engagements starting this month. But how worthwhile is it for producers to participate in these fairs? Our parent blog Guns 2 Gewurztraminer gives you five good reasons why producers who are seriously considering entering or promoting their products in the Indian market should not give these fairs a miss.
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Japan Diary
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Sake exploration in Japan is as much about discovering flavours as it is about immersing oneself in culture, scenery, and tradition.
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Joshua Kalinan, Master Sake Sommelier and Singapore’s first Sake Sommelier of the Year, shares some Sake experiences that can be a good reference point especially for the first time visitors to Japan.
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Knowledge Bytes
Sake Terms: Honjozo
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Light, smooth, and easy to enjoy—Honjozo sake sits at the intersection of tradition and drinkability. Made with rice polished to at least 70% and a dash of brewer’s alcohol, it’s a great style to explore if you're looking for something approachable yet distinctly refined. Here's a quick snapshot:
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News Update
Curated
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ABC News (Australia) | Jul 27, 2025
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"Prices of Japan’s iconic beverage sake are soaring, as a severe rice shortage and US President Donald Trump’s tariff hike compound pressure on producers of the Japanese rice wine.
Moreover, domestic sake consumption has slumped to a third of what it once was as younger Japanese patrons opt for lighter and sweet alcoholic beverages."
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Video
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An easy-going evening around Akashi White Oak Whisky reminded us why Japanese whiskies are so well-loved in India. Shared with friends from the Defence fraternity, the night was filled with stories, laughter, and smooth sips.
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This affordable blended whisky offers soft notes of vanilla, malt, and a whisper of smoke—making it an elegant, easy-going choice for both seasoned drinkers and curious newcomers.
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3 useful facts about Akashi White Oak :
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* Made by one of Japan’s smallest whisky distilleries, Eigashima, which produces whisky only a few months each year.
* Crafted using sake-making techniques and matured in American oak and sherry casks.
* A reasonable introduction to Japanese whisky-retailing at approximately ₹ 3000-4000 (500 ml bottle) depending on the state of sale.
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