2024 off to a great start - D'RIM Bottle Share
From the SakeCraft Times archive, first published 28 Jan 2024. Dates and plans mentioned are as they were then.
What a way to start of 2024 with a bang.
Our first bottle share was held on 21st Jan 2024 at D’RIM at Mandarin Gallery.
D’RIM, or “deurim” in Korean, is a term that signifies the act of “presenting” with utmost respect and sincerity. And with the with the help of Jay, Luke, Stuart, and the team at D’RIM, what a presentation it was. The setting was as classy as it gets, modern, with a flair of traditional, classy! We were blessed to have the evening take place in their private area, which had a central aisle. Much like a model on a catwalk, each person had a chance to step into the aisle to present and pour their sakes.
With the help of Seana and Alex, and the lovely curated menu from D’RIM, sakes were paired with the dishes. Special mention goes to the Galbijjim (braised beef) which was delightfully tasty and exquisite. The beef was soft and juicy, filled with flavour. It was certainly the highlight of my meal. (This below)
The prochetta (the other option for main) made me wishh I had two stomachs.
On the sake front, the Tsuchida Bodaimoto and the Atagono matsu Junmai Daiginjo were particularly memorable. And there was a special mystery sake that suprised everyone. Thank you Maria-san for contributing the additional sake! I will let the photos speak for themselves.
To help all of us level up, thanks Keiji and Brad for covering the anatomy of sake rice and also rice trends within the industry! I certainly found it useful and enlightening.
And we had Korean sake, a lovely Makheoli thanks to D'RIM.
Thank you for bringing us Dassai-blue. The sake was lovely.
And Just like that, we have added a few more sakes to our prefecture list.
And here are the list of bottles tried that day.
- Hansel - Wakamusume, Yamaguchi ; Aizu Masamune, Fukushima (2 types)
- Dannii - Aramasa, Akita
- Yoshi - Ariiso Akebono Hattaisen- Toyama
- Max - Tsuchida Bodaimoto 99, Kawaba Village, Gunma
- Elvis - Houou Mida Hige JunDai namatsume kamesui 1.8L, Yamagata
- Brad - (Dassai Blue; New York/ Asahishuzo Yamaguchi
- Gian - Ryokutan-Kei, Echigo -Yuzawa, Niigata
- Joei - Tedorigawa, Ishikawa
- Tricia - Hakkaisan tokubetsu Honjyozo ; Niigata
- Daniella - Hakurakusei, Niizawa shuzo ; Miyagi
- Lukas - Hyogo, Ozeki Soke Ozakaya JDG
- Tomek - Ozeki Ozakaya Chobei DG, Hyogo
- Rong Rong - Thirsty Palate sparkling, Kamaya Shuzo, Saitama
- Seana - Kitajima En Kimoto Organic Shiga Asahi 80% Nama, Shiga
- Fukashi - Mifuku Sanrensei JunDai Kanjuku Nama genshu, Shiga
- Eddie Ching - Tahoma Fuji; light Koshi 3 years aged, nama junmai; Seattle
- Roy - Musubi Terada Honke , Chiba
- Abel Born, Wings for Japan, JunDai, Fukui
- Keiji - Amabuki Yamahai Junmai Omachi, Saga
- Bert - Kudokijozu JR Shizuku JMDG, Kamenoi Shuzo, Yamagata
- Maria - Dassai 39 Asahishuzo, Yamaguchi + Chikuha Noto Junmai, Ishikawa, Kazuma shuzo) (2 types)
- Nicholas - Ninki Ichi, Fukushima- Milan Sake Challenge gold winner
- Will - Kamoshibito Kuheiji "Eau du Desir" 2022 Vintage, Junmai Daiginjo, Banjo Shuzo, Aichi
- Melvin - Kamimaru Junmai Daiginjo 40 ; Nemoto Shuzo, Ibaraki
- Jin - BY2009 aged Koshu, Nara