Sake 'Lafite': The "World Emperor's" Backstory

Sake is a type of rice wine that has been drunk for many centuries in Japan. However, it was not sake hong kongalways the most popular type of wine; "Lafite" was much more prestigious. This article discusses how the drink became so popular and what the story behind it is.

Why is it important to know about the

Lafite Sake?

The Lafite Sake is one of the most iconic and respected wines in the world. This white wine is made from a blend of rice, sugar, and grape juice and has a delicate balance of flavors that makes it a favorite among wine lovers. The Lafite story begins in 1795 when Pierre-Francois Lafite discovered a well-developed layer of limestone under the surface of his property in Pauillac, France. He began to quarry the limestone and used it to make wine casks. The wine produced from these casks became known as Lafite Sake. Pierre-Francois' son, Christophe, continued to produce the wine after his father's death in 1822. Today, Lafite Sake is produced by Chateau Lafite Rothschild, one of the world's most renowned wineries. The Wine Spectator awarded Chateau Lafite Rothschild its Gold Medal for excellence in 2007.

How did the “Lafite” come to be?

The Lafite story is full of intrigue and glamour, with a few twists that could only happen in the wine world. The “Lafite” wine is named after the Lafite vineyard in Bordeaux, France, where it was first produced in 1855 by Jean-Pierre Lafite, son of a wealthy Bordelais wine merchant. At the time, Bordeaux was one of the world’s most famous wine-producing regions. The Lafites were among the early vignerons to plant Chardonnay there.

The story goes that Lafite had a dream one night in which an angel appeared to him and instructed him to start producing fine wines from his vineyard. Lafite followed the angel’s instructions and soon his wines were fetching high prices all over Europe. In fact, so highly regarded were his wines that Napoleon III made Jean-Pierre Lafite a count (a French nobility title) in 1857 as a reward for his efforts in developing Bordeaux wines.

Lafite died in 1863, leaving behind two sons - Jules and Emile - who took on their father’s business responsibilities. Jules eventually became head winemaker

What are the most famous sake in Japan today?

Lafite rice wine is one of the most famous sake in Japan today. Lafite sake is made from a blend of rice, wheat and barley, and is a light-bodied sake with flavors of apple, pear, and honey. The sake is named after the Lafite vineyard in Bordeaux, France.

Lafite was first produced in 1861 by Jules Lafitte, a French wine merchant who had moved to Japan in 1856. Lafitte leased land in Mito city, Ibaraki prefecture to grow grapes for wine production. The result was a very successful saké that quickly became popular with the Japanese nobility. In 1862, Lafitte founded Lafitte Sake Brewing Company in Osaka to produce and sell his wine under the name Lafitte.

Today, there are over 100 different brands of Lafite sake available in Japan.
Why is Saké so popular in Japan?

For centuries, sake (pronounced "sake") has been a popular drink in Japan, thought to be good for health and enjoyed by all social classes. Saké is made from rice, water and kōji (a mold-fermented rice wine). The fermentation process creates an alcohol content of around 6%. Saké is usually brewed with a specific type of rice called “shinmai-goma”, which is short, medium-length and has a high starch content. This makes the rice grain harder to break down during fermentation, resulting in a higher quality sake. The Japanese have many different names for sake, including “Kōbin” (meaning “classic”), “Chūkō” (meaning “thick”), and “Genshu” (meaning “national”). While there are many types of sake available on the market today, Lafite is considered to be one of the finest examples.