{"id":450,"date":"2025-12-26T08:02:38","date_gmt":"2025-12-26T08:02:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/australiansakeawards.org.au\/en\/?p=450"},"modified":"2025-12-26T08:02:39","modified_gmt":"2025-12-26T08:02:39","slug":"the-2026-judging-categories-finalised","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/australiansakeawards.org.au\/en\/news\/450\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2026 Judging Categories Finalised"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Judging Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting in 2024, we introduced two distinct judging formats: [1] Basic Category Judging<\/strong> and [2] Food Pairing Judging<\/strong>.
Instead of categorising sake by the types indicated on their labels, this unique evaluation focuses on the characteristics of the sake and its compatibility with food, aiming to delve deeper into the preferences of Australian consumers and the Australian market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In response to numerous requests, a new \u201cUmeshu Category\u201d will be added to the Basic Category Screening in 2026. The \u2018Regular Competition\u2019 consists of six categories, and the \u2018Food Matching Competition\u2019 consists of five categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[1] Basic Category<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2026, we refined the basic category descriptions for greater clarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. SPARKLING<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. LIGHT \/ CRISP<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. FRUITY \/ FLORAL<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. RICH \/ FULL-BODIED<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. MATURE \/ AGED<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. UMESHU (Plum Wine)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    [2] Food Pairing Category
    <\/strong>We also introduced a revamped menu for the food categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. CAPRESE SALAD<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. BEER BATTERED FISH & CHIPS<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. THAI GREEN CURRY with TOFU & VEGETABLES<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. CHINESE 5 SPICE PORK BELLY<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. CHEESECAKE<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      <\/div>\n\n\n\n

      The entry period is from Monday, January 5 to Friday, February 27, 2026.
      For further information, please refer to the \nEntry Page\n<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      We look forward to receiving your entries!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Judging Categories Starting in 2024, we introduced two distinct judging formats: [1] Basic Category Judging and [2] Food Pairing Judging.Instead of categorising sake by the types indicated on their labels, this unique evaluation focuses on the characteristics of the sake and its compatibility with food, aiming to delve deeper into the preferences of Australian consumers and the Australian market. In response to numerous requests, a new \u201cUmeshu Category\u201d will be added to the Basic Category Screening in 2026. The \u2018Regular Competition\u2019 consists of six categories, and the \u2018Food Matching Competition\u2019 consists of five categories. [1] Basic Category In 2026, we refined the basic category descriptions for greater clarity. [2] Food Pairing CategoryWe also […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":453,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-450","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"yoast_head":"\nThe 2026 Judging Categories Finalised - Australian Sake Awards<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The 2026 Judging Categories Finalised - Australian Sake Awards is the International Sake Competition held in Sydney, Australia. 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