A growing trend

Have you been binging the new Shōgun series? The epic drama on the rise of warlords, samurai, and feudal Japan connects to a growing interest in Japanese traditions. Simultaneously, we see enthusiasm for Japan’s historic sake market, tying into health-conscious lifestyles and curiosity about Japanese culture and cuisine. The global sake market has grown enormously, climbing from $9.28 billion in 2023 to $9.76 billion in 2024, projected to reach $12.02 billion in 2028 and beyond. Sake constitutes an alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice that contains about 14-16% alcohol. The Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association (JSS), which currently markets to 75 countries, is actively working to expand the reach of sake further. The first Japanese-organized sake business meeting will take place this year in Hungary. The JSS has joined forces with the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale to run masterclasses worldwide, including Canada, Mexico, and Ecuador. The Association recently partnered with Union de la Sommellerie Francaise in February for a pairing dinner at Saisons, a Michelin-starred restaurant at Lyon’s Institute Lyfe. The event mixed six sake breweries and French-awarded sommeliers. Curious about all the buzz? Read on!

Sustainability and the best sake to buy in 2024

Have you become curious, and would you like to see the sake-making process? Check out this Original Fare video, exploring ancient traditions blended with modern techniques in crafting Japan’s revered sake, from the Hyogo countryside to Kobe City. Plump, yellow-gold sake rice requires hand-harvesting in the autumn and needs to wait until winter to brew. The starchy rice gets washed and placed in a steaming vat. Every day, the vat’s temperature differs as the rice condition differs. Thus, the living art of sake-making. Fermentation and investment in advanced technologies are modernizing processes, increasing sustainability, and reducing environmental impact. Kenbishi, featured in the OF video, once loved by shoguns and sake makers since 1505, got featured in Miyamizu Sake in October 2023. While Mizuho Yamahai Junmai Sake has aged two years in Japanese tradition, the rich brew shares characteristics with single malt whiskies or even sherry, with notes of caramel, vanilla, and roasted nuts. The modern sake loves to pair with roasted duck, charcuterie, or smoked meats. You can also procure Kenbishi sake, brewed in Hyogo, through the Discovery Japan website.

For some, the quest for the perfect sake becomes an eternal pursuit, a journey where tradition meets innovation, and craft becomes honored above all. Opumo recently delved into seven exceptional bottles, each a testament to the artistry and dedication of sake makers. Each features special nuances, flavors, and stories that make them unique. One that the magazine highlights, Kokuryu Ryu Daiginjo, can count as one of the best sake bottles you can acquire due to its elegance and depth. To quote, “This spirit boasts a rich and complex flavor profile, characterized by hints of melon and pear, making it a delightful companion for an exquisite dining experience.” Hailing from Niigata, Kubota Manju Junmai Daiginjo got revered for its crisp, clean taste and hint of green apple. A masterpiece of precision, this sake highlights the region’s pristine water and craftsmanship.

Sake Events & Tours:

How can you sample and discover your favorite sake bottles? In New York,  The Joy of Sake returns in April at The Metropolitan Pavilion for the 18^th celebration of 578 labels from Japan and the United States. Sake-themed appetizers from top New York restaurants add to the enjoyment, along with unlimited sake samplings. For an authentic journey, consider Sake Tours during peak sake season, November 11^th-15^th.  This behind-the-scenes trip focuses on the people who grow, cook, brew, and create the sake market, along with Japan’s related traditional arts and crafts. This video showcases the experiences one might have. Still, depending on your planned tour, you can embark on a ramen crawl through Hakata, Kyushu, or visit a pottery master’s studio.

Let’s raise a glass to the best sake, celebrating a timeless elixir that continues to captivate an audience of connoisseurs worldwide. Comment your favorites below! 

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The holiday spin on Eurocore

Did you indulge in posting summer selfies, sipping espresso in an Italian piazza, or toasting champagne by the Eiffel Tower? If you did, kudos! You have joined the latest #EUROCORE craze. The TikTok trend has racked up an impressive 123k views to date with Eurosummer and many variations. Continuing on the momentum, the travel industry stands to promote the holiday season with numerous European Christmas Markets River Cruises.  As a bonus, you can visit several markets on these cruises and limit packing and emptying your luggage only once. The self-proclaimed “River Cruise Queen” offers advice on booking the perfect European Christmas Markets River Cruise. You got interested in learning more? Continue reading!

Festive travel spin firmly rooted in traditions

Europe’s annual Christmas markets originated in Germany hundreds of years ago. They evoke memories of simpler times, with stalls selling hand-blown glass ornaments, toys, artisanal crafts, and the scent of mulled wine and fresh bread cooking over embers. “Germany hosts some 3,000 Christmas markets, and the Alsace-Lorraine region – which once belonged to Germany now to France – carries on the tradition,” noted Derek Banks, Managing Director of European Waterways. “The region is renowned for its bright and festive Christmas markets, as well as its picturesque castles and France’s oldest wine road – all of which form a part of European Waterways’ Christmas Markets Cruises.” 

These cruises offer a perfect opportunity to sample seasonal treats like vin chaud, mulled wine, gingerbread, and christstolle—a brioche filled with almond cream and candied fruits. Along with Gothic churches, Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik, welcomes millions of visitors as the capital of Alsace and “the capital of Christmas.” The city also hosts one of the oldest and largest markets in Europe. Visitors can wander historic quarters like Place Gutenberg and La Petite France (Little France). They can also watch craftsmen making seasonal chocolates at the Musée du Chocolat or chocolate museum.

Best of the river markets cruise offerings

While primarily situated along the Danube River and scattered along the Rhine, small and large European cities capitalize on this age-old holiday event. Some cruises cater to adults, others to offbeat destinations and singing and dancing cultural celebrations. U.K. The Times voted Tui, Cologne their favorite for three adult-only ships. The center of Cologne’s most famous market (there are seven) features a giant twinkling Christmas tree. The Tui line offers five and seven-night festive itineraries. Uniworld’s tour of Germany and Austria remains their second choice for adults, with Nuremberg known as the “gingerbread capital of the world.” 

For a family-friendly experience, Disney offers an 8-day Danube cruise featuring iconic Salzburg landmarks from The Sound of Music. The recommend a minimum age of 5, and suggest children from the age of 8+ to join. They also offer programs for teen “Adventurers.” Popular travel YouTuber stars, like Two Bad Tourists (generally known for warm weather trips), are curating their Danube itineraries. You could also opt for the extended 14-night AmaWaterways “Grand Danube Cruise.”

New Developments for 2023 and beyond

Did you know the Christmas Markets River cruise scene has been moving past predictable routes? In recent years, Portugal’s Douro River, which features a vibrant wine scene, has been drawing AmaWaterways with AmaDouro sailings. Due to the extended weather season, the 2024 “Enticing Douro” itinerary will run from March through late December. If you’re stateside, in 2024, American Queen Voyages partners with Natchez, Mississippi, for new U.S. Christmas Markets cruises along the Mississippi River.

With holiday nostalgia, luxury accommodations, daily excursions, fine wine, and gourmet meals, Christmas Markets River cruises keep attracting fans. Share your favorites in the comments below!

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