Would you like to learn more about sake, or perhaps offer the keys to understanding it to a loved one just starting out ? Today, we review four books that are as relevant as they are fascinating. Each in its own style, they shed a little more light on this beverage. All are packed with clear, precise information to help you gain an in-depth understanding of the subject. It's up to you to decide which one to start with !

Sake from A to Z", by Yoko Yamamoto
"Sake from A to Z" is written as a story, that of Maiko, a newcomer to sake, who talks to Junko, a specialist in the drink for 25 years. The reader is invited on a unique and exciting journey of initiation, unfolding in several episodes in which the author shares her passion for this age-old tradition. Things are presented in a highly original way, since the question of tasting and choosing a sake is raised from the very first pages. Comprehensive technical information is then provided throughout the book. Yoko Yamamoto uses clear, simple language and original illustrations to provide the necessary details, all in an airy layout.

"Sake from A to Z" by Yoko Yamamoto. 200 pages - €18 - Editions IMHO

About the author : Yoko Yamamoto, originally from Sakaiminato, the town associated with Kitarô's yôkai (supernatural creatures), is a Japanese cuisine specialist and food journalist. She is editor-in-chief of a magazine that explores vegetarian, macrobiotic, whole-grain, traditional fermentation and rice alcohol cuisine. She is passionate about promoting local food and runs seminars across Japan, including on Junmaishu, as well as on food and sake.

"111 sakés à ne pas manquer", by Chloé Cazaux Grandpierre
Released on November 7, 2023 by Emons, this book represents a godsend for any sake enthusiast wishing to explore this universe in depth, enabling them to discern the best sakes, whether famous or little-known. Photographer Patrick Herreyre took part in the project, capturing the images of each of the 111 bottles in an original way. The concept of the book is clear: each sake is presented on a single page, with details on the brewery, the production method, and sometimes even the bottle design. A fascinating journey that combines expertise with an invitation to explore the rich and diverse world of sake.

"111 sakés à ne pas manquer", by Chloé Cazaux Grandpierre. 230 pages - 18€ - Editions emons:

About the author : Chloé Cazaux Grandpierre, a multi-faceted personality, works as a business leader, journalist, radio commentator, blogger, sommelier and sake educator. She recently wrote this tasting guide, which goes far beyond simple sake recommendations. In it, she shares with readers historical anecdotes from some of the companies associated with this iconic beverage.

"Nihonshu, Japanese Sake" (English version available), by Gautier Roussille
The fruit of five years' research, this book by Gautier Roussille methodically lifts the veil on the transformation of rice into sake. It is without doubt the most comprehensive book on the subject currently available (English version also available). A veritable sake bible, it plunges the reader into the world of kura and provides a wealth of technical details essential to a thorough understanding of sake. The book is aimed at a wide audience, from the layman to the oenologist. A rigorous, accessible approach enriched by his own experiences at the heart of Japan's sakaguras. Four main themes are covered: raw materials, fermentation, maturation and tasting.

"Nihonshu, le Saké Japonais", by Gautier Roussille. 262 pages - €20

About the author : An agricultural engineer, oenologist and graduate of HEC Paris, Gautier Roussille works and lives in Burgundy. Passionate about wines and spirits, their history and production methods, he discovered sake during his first trip to Japan in 2006. He has since returned many times, including in 2012 to work for a season at the Sohomare sakagura (Tochigi, Japan). Every year, he judges in the sake category of the IWC (International Wine Challenge) competition.

"Sake, a Japanese exception", by Nicolas Baumert Nicolas
Baumert's book takes us on a fascinating journey through the well-kept secrets of sake. He unveils the subtle and meticulous art of production, before delving into the history of sake and its role in Japanese culture. Through the prism of sake, we gain a unique insight into daily life in Japan. The stories of dedicated brewmasters, tasting ceremonies, lively festivals, sake as a common thread running through Japanese life and soul.

"Le Saké, une exception japonaise", by Nicolas Baumert. 289 pages - 20€ - Editions Presses Universitaires de Rennes.

About the author : Nicolas Baumert has a degree and doctorate in geography, and is a specialist in Japan. In 2011, he was awarded the Shibusawa-Claudel prize for his thesis "Le saké, géographie historique et culturelle d'une exception japonaise", from which this book is derived.

At the end of this literary exploration, it becomes clear that sake transcends the simple status of a beverage to become a window onto the culture, history and, ultimately, the soul of Japan. Each author contributes to enriching our understanding, offering a spellbinding immersion in the complex world of sake. It's up to you to choose how you approach it !