Marina Giordano - Founder - Sake Day East
- Japan Society of Boston
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Would you introduce yourself briefly?
I’m Marina Giordano. By day—or rather, by early morning—I’m a Director at 7 News Boston, working on the morning newscasts. My other great passion is education; specifically, I’m a certified Sake and wine educator.
I hold the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Diploma in Wine and Spirits and the Sake Diploma from the Japan Sommelier Association. I am deeply committed to growing the sake community here in New England. In 2021, I founded Sake Day East, a consumer sake tasting event. I love finding ways to make the complex world of sake accessible to everyone here in Boston!
What sparked your interest in sake?
My obsession with sake began at a lunch with a friend. At first, I was resistant to try it, thinking it was high in alcohol, like a spirit. After a bit of persuasion I took a sip and had a lot of questions: What is this? How is it made? What makes it so complex? That curiosity sparked a whirlwind journey. Within months, I was traveling to Texas for my first sake certification; six months later, I was in Japan learning about sake at breweries. I returned to Japan that same year to become a WSET Certified Sake Educator.
In the time you’ve been studying sake in the US and Japan, what changes have you seen in the industry?
I have seen an increase in the amount and quality of imports of Japanese sake, especially those available in Boston. The United States is the number one importer of sake and we are finally starting to see those benefits here!
The number of US sake brewers has grown too. We have our own local brewer in Medfield, Farthest Star Sake! It's great to have a local place to visit that not only has great sake but holds lots of fun events - make sure to check them out.
I have also seen the want/need for sake education grow in Boston over the past 10 years. I teach students that work in the industry and students that are sake enthusiasts. I love helping people to understand what is so special about sake, whether it helps them at their job, or to enjoy a glass of sake at home.
It sounds like your annual Sake Day East event was rooted in your desire for people to discover a love of sake. What has been the biggest surprise in running that event and introducing sake to people in New England?
Founded as a passion project, Sake Day East was created from a desire to elevate Boston’s sake scene. By introducing more people to sake, I hope to drive local demand and ensure a better selection is available right here. I think it is working! The most surprising thing about Sake Day East is probably how quickly it has grown. In 2021, we had about 70 sake available to taste at the event. Last year we had over 150 different sake! It is really rewarding to see so many people interested in sake.
What is your advice for someone new to trying sake?
For someone new to sake, there are a few things I would recommend:
Drink it chilled: most premium sake will taste best chilled, so start there. Once you have figured out the types you like, you can start experimenting with heating.
Don't shoot your sake: It isn't a spirit, so you don't need to drink it like a shot, just sip it.
Break out of the Bento Box: Sake goes easily with most foods, so you don't have to drink it with sushi. Try it with pizza, BBQ, steak, salad, and even brunch!
Spring Sake Fest: Find a new favorite sake at Sake Day East Spring Sake Fest, March 28 at Julio's Liquors in Westborough.
