JUDGES
Experts from each field will use a special app to judge the three sessions: 「sake tasting」, 「design」 and 「food pairing」
SAKE TASTING SESSION
Sake tasting session will be judged by Sake Sommelier certified by Sake Sommelier Association Italiana, and the shochu and awamori tasting session will be judged by Shochu and Awamori Sommelier holders certified by the same association.
In every session, the majority of Sake Sommeliers work in the food and beverage industry, and includes a wide range of professionals, including wine sommeliers, restaurant owners, chefs, and bartenders.
In order to ensure the quality of the judges, we require them to attend seminars in advance to improve their judging standards and skills.
Please note that we may invite guest judges such as sake experts and educators active in Europe, but this will not be reflected in the scores.
DESIGN SESSION
Regarding the sophistication, appeal, and functionality of bottles, labels, caps, boxes, etc., the Best Design will be selected by judges including design and fashion experts who are primarily active in the Italian market, as well as—starting this year—representatives from IED (primarily researchers, professors, etc.), Italy's prestigious design institution, as official Design Award partners. Winners will have the opportunity to enhance their sales potential in the European market by gaining international recognition.
*IED (Istituto Europeo di Design) is an international design education institution established in Milan in 1966. With locations in Italy, Spain, Brazil, and other countries, it cultivates talent capable of succeeding globally in the fields of fashion, design, communication, and management. Many designers active on the international stage have graduated from IED. It is, so to speak, the most powerful research and educational institution in the design industry.
FOOD PAIRING SESSION
In addition to highly experienced Sake Sommeliers, chefs and food critics will also be on hand to judge the awards.
In this way, food specialists will explore new possibilities for pairing Italian cuisine with sakes.
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese with its rich aroma and sweet, delicate flavor, San Daniele cured ham, and fresh truffles, the pride of Italian gastronomy, will be the pairing ingredients for the 2025 event to explore the possibilities of compatibility with sake. The Italian food industry has high expectations for this new endeavor.
