Sake Moments – Hanukkah & Christmas Mash-Up
Holy Holiday Mash-Ups Batman! Talk about good timing for the kids! This year, the 12 days of Christmas totally coincide with the 8 days of Hanukkah, and, since I am an equal opportunity exploiter of all things for the “sake” of sake, this year is a Holiday slam dunk for this ancient beverage that has its own roots deeply dug in a religion of a different kind. But let’s not get bogged down in the minutia of what these wonderful religious festivals actually mean to mankind rather let’s get funky with how a fermented rice libation can honor every god in any capacity. (Oh my gosh – I’m totally going to lose my head for this one!)
So for all of you on the “Blue Team” starting on December 24th and lasting until January 1st you can make your “festival of lights” become a “festival of rights” by including a tasty Junmai Daiginjo in your candle lighting celebration. Why should the kids have all the fun? A flame burns a little brighter if you’re lit as well! Woot Woot! Why should a menorah hold only nine flames when you can be the tenth? Turn that Hallel prayer into a Hell-Ya! as you enjoy a beautiful glass of sake that cools the righteous flames. And talk to me people! What goes better with fried foods like latke and sufganya than a dry Honjozo? And nothing can make that dreidel spin faster than a nice glass of Ginjo that will have you partying in a pot of coins in no time! All I’m saying is the “Old Country” doesn’t have to be that old country in this case it could actually be Japan! Think about it!
And for you on the “Red and Green Team” your Twelve Days start on December 25th and carry on until January 5th (well past Bowl Season!). We all know who your “true love” is, but this holiday season can’t we change things up and make sake that true love? Nothing makes six geese a laying like a beautiful Daiginjo, or heck the ten Lords will be leaping a little higher with a solid Nama Genshu! And of course our friend William Shakespeare might have had a different ending for the “12th Night” if only he had imbibed on a little Junmai while penning his “comedy.” We know these 12 days of Christmas can be code to escape from persecution, but couldn’t they also be code for 12 days of excellent sake? Think about it!
For the subliminally impaired the above statements were forged in an effort for you to think about a Japanese alcohol during some of your most powerful religious experiences and celebrations. Carry on!