More than the mineral balance of the water, more than the variety of yeast, it's the rice itself that plays the biggest role in determining a sake's taste and texture. Over twenty different rice varieites have been developed just for making sake, with names like Gin no Sei, Aiyama, Omachi, Yamadanishiki, Hattan, Manamusume and Gohyakumangoku.
The evening's sake selection includes 37 different junmai, ginjo and daigino labels arranged by rice variety. Daiginjo labels tend towards Yamadanishiki, with junmai and ginjo labels using a varity of regional strains. The tasting takes about 45 minutes and is followed by sake appetizers and congenial sake-sipping until 8:00 p.m.
The March Aftertaste will be held at Chai's Island Bistro at Aloha Tower Marketplace, and will feature a Thai appetizer buffet. Reservations may be made online through the following link: Aftertaste Hawaii Online Ticket Purchase or call Pua at 222-5591. All sales are final and attendance is limited to 70 persons.