Natsuki Kikuya

Last June, Natsuki Kikuya of Museum of Sake joined us at Planque to answer all your questions about the renowned Japanese rice wine.

Natsuki has dedicated her career to providing education and promoting the craft of sake outside of Japan and together we explored the secrets of sake, from how to choose a bottle to how to serve it, and much more.

After the tasting, we took the opportunity to ask Natsuki a few things about wine.

Here is our conversation.

1. You're handed a wine list, what do you do?

When it comes to wine I’m a bit square and more a follower of my wine nerd friends or somms. I try to find some regions / variety that I never tried before. If sake menu, I love reading from top to bottom of list imagining the flavours in my palate.

2. How do you know the wine you're drinking is good?

Whether it is wine or sake, what I care the most is the finish, what sort of feeling remained after a sip. Nothing lasts forever, how it ends is pretty much all about in life?

3. What is something fascinating you’ve been told over lunch?

British men only shop their wardrobe every six month. (Is this true…?)

4. In whose company do you most enjoy drinking wine?

Fellow sake lovers and sake brewers.

5. Can you describe your ideal combination of wine, music, and setting?

I find some electronic music such as System 7 has similarities to sake for its minimal, organic and manmade feels. Modern sake with low abv with juicy acidity and lingering finish such as Aramasa Ecru works comfortably together in outdoor camping sites.

6. What sort of food would you add to the equation?

Anything pickled, sashimi or crudo, potato salad and a good plate of cheese!

7. What is the most memorable bottle of wine you’ve drank?

Very first batch of my friend Hidehiko’s brand new brewery sake in Kyoto; Nichi Nichi Tojo Yamadanishiki.

8. Where did you drink it?

At Endo at Rotunda with Endo san. We almost cried, haha

9. Is there a characteristic you look for in a wine and in a friend?

If they are elegant, mellow and texturous ;)

10. What is your approach to drinking?

I tend to enjoy a lot, start singing and nap afterwards, repeat...

11. Do you apply this approach in other aspects of life?

Hope not!

12. What shall we open next?

Aramasa Nirugame 90% polishing ratio warm… with grilled eel?

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