The calibre and uniqueness that is Japanese Sake is not lost on Kirsty and Jack Mason, owners and operators of Eastwoods Dining, one of the newest restaurants to grace the Airlie Beach Esplanade.
Japanese Sake is defined by its special process of rice fermentation. With the first rice-based drink dating back to the 5th Century BC, Sake was first recorded in written history in a 3rd Century historical Chinese document, and first domestically in the 8th Century.
However, the most historical evidence of Sake is recorded from the 8th Century, where only the privileged in Japanese society, primarily members of the Imperial Court and religious leaders were able to enjoy it.
It wasn’t util the 13th Century, where more commercial Sake brewers’ techniques were established, and general Japanese society began to consume Sake more regularly.
This incredibly deep history emanates through the menu at Eastwoods, offering a unique experience to guests.
“This is different,” Kirsty explained.
“This is cool, and we wanted to offer something different in the area.”
On their dedicated Sake menu, Eastwoods is offering three distinct varieties of Japanese wines.
The Sake, with three options vary from a light kiwifruit flavour to a sweet honeysuckle and musk, to red fruits, white chocolate, and jasmine rice flavours.
The second variety is Umeshu, which is described as a plum wine, and made from steeping ume plumes in liquor and sugar. Tending to be the sweeter variety, they are light, sweet, and tart.
The last variety is Shochu, which is earthy, refreshing and slightly sweet, distilled using rice, barley, sweet potatoes, buckwheat, or brown sugar, which makes for a unique and delectable flavour.
