CHALLENGE GUIDELINES

- Entry cost
Each sake enrolled will incur a 280 Euro entry fee.
Entry fee includes:

• Judges' comments for each of the 3 Competition Sessions:
  - Tasting
  - Design
  - Food pairing.
• Tasting notes translated into all available languages (Italian, Japanese, English, French)
  In addition, judges' comments for the food pairing category, will include specific names of other dishes (other than the 5 that are being tasted with) that would pair well with the specific sake.
• All the organizational, judging and awarding costs.
  

- Payment method
Payment will be accepted by credit card only.
Please purchase the number of etiquettes you want to submit directly from this link
Payment and sake information must be submitted by January 15th, 2024.

- Sample bottles to be submitted
2 bottles for each sake label entered need to be shipped to Italy.
The standard expected capacity of one bottle is 720ml

If your standard bottle is 750ml or 900ml we will consider it close enough to the standard capacity.
However if your standard bottle is of different capacity we ask you to provide a bottle within those sizes.

The producer is responsible for delivering the bottles intact and on time to the specified address. For shipments to Italy the producer is responsible for any customs fee and documentation required as well as any communication with the Italian customs office.

- Evaluation criteria
For the tasting competition the Sake Sommelliers will perform individual blind tasting using wine glasses.

Each sake will be evaluated on an absolute scale, not relative to other sake.
The scores from each judge will be averaged using application algorithm and the sake with the highest % scores will be awarded the prizes. We will strive to ensure the most fair and thorough evaluation possible for each sake.

For the food pairing competition the Chef, Buyers and sommeliers will perform blind tasting using wine glasses, in combination with 5 popular Italian dishes and desserts.

For the Prosciutti Crudo San Daniele Special Prizes the evaluation will be performed by official tasters, certified by the Consorzio San Daniele.

For the design competition the evaluation will be conducted separately (one day earlier) from the tasting, by experts in design, fashion, style who will evaluate sophistication, attractiveness and functionality of bottles, labels, caps and boxes. 

- Application rules
All sake producers, distributors, exporters and importers are welcome to apply.
All types of sake are accepted.

1. Junmai Daiginjo - Daiginjo
2. Junmai Ginjo - Ginjo
3. Junmai - Honjozo
4. Special (Umeshu - Yuzushu - Nigori - Sparkling - Koshu (aged))
   (Aged sake category includes only sake aged for at least 3 years (blending of sake less than 3 years old is not allowed).

- Namazake (unpasteurized sake) is not allowed.

Nomination announcement
The results will be announced on the official website of the Milan Sake Challenge on July 2024.
The awards ceremony will be held in September in Milan.

- Deliverables to breweries
All breweries will receive the judges' comment notes (Tasting, Food Pairing, and Design) for all sake entered, regardless of whether or not they won an award.
Award-winning sake will receive a certificate of commendation.

In order to expand sales of award-winning sake, we will provide a source for printing official promotional materials (award-winning stickers, neck-hanging POP), as well as electronic data of award-winning medal designs and competition logo data (with restrictions on use).