Europe's largest sake trade fair started on the 1st in Paris, the capital of France, and Japanese sake breweries and brewers are appealing the appeal of sake.
More than 400 types of sake were collected at the 8th trade fair this year, and sake breweries from Hiroshima and Niigata prefectures also opened stores.
Exports of Japanese sake to France have been steadily increasing over the past ten years, with export volume more than tripled and sales more than fivefold.
Sylvain Huet, chairman of the trade fair organizer, said, ``France has the highest rate of growth in the Japanese sake market in Europe.
Kiyoji Miyake, vice chairman of the Japan Sake Makers Association, who participated from Japan, said, ``In France, it seems that there is a sense of familiarity because it is a fermented liquor similar to wine. The number of cases where it is given to us is increasing,” he said, saying that the base of sake fans is definitely expanding.
In recent years, more and more companies are adding explanations in French about the manufacturing process and taste characteristics to their sake bottles, and promoting the various flavors of sake, such as unrefined sake and fizzy sake.
The fair will be held for one to three days and is expected to attract a total of 5,000 visitors.