In this episode, Jessica catches up with Monica Samuels, VP of Sake and Spirits for Vine Connections, just after the Texsom International Wine Awards judging wrapped up. The two had just completed a flight of award-winning Saké selections that prompted an informative and thought-provoking discussion.    Find out the basics of what you need to know about Saké, how to approach the category in general, and what foods pair well with this diverse, and deliciously complex style beverage.    Monica’s 15+ years of experience in the sake industry include working as a restaurant beverage director, overseeing the category for one of the country’s largest wholesalers, and now directly importing sake and spirits from Japan.  She has been recognized for her efforts in sales and education in Wine Spectator’s “Sake’s True Believers (2013),” Wine Enthusiast’s “40 Tastemakers Under 40 (2014),” received the title of “Sake Samurai” in 2017, and as part of the IWSC and WSET’s “Future 50 Awards (2019).”  Monica’s education in sake includes studying under John Gauntner and his Sake Education Council, where she received both Certified and Advanced Sake Professional distinctions; she is also a WSET certified Educator for the L3 Award in Sake.  She has assessed saké for different competitions internationally and is currently a Panel Chair for the International Wine Challenge sake category.   https://www.vineconnections.com/japanese-sake/