Is sake a wine or a beer?

CrazeeTracy

Beer Sake is also referred to in English as "Japanese rice wine," but the characterisation implied is not accurate. Wine is made from the single fermentation of plant juices (other than sparkling wine, which can be a double fermentation to create the carbonation). Sake is produced by multiple fermentation of rice, which is more similar to how beer is produced. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sake Jun 19 08, 9:27 AM

zbeckabee

What makes sake different from all other liquors in the world? The main component of Japanese sake is rice. According to Japanese liquor tax law, sake is defined as being “made from fermented and filtered rice, malted rice malt, and water.” In the U.S., sake is considered a type of beer under Federal law and a wine under California State law. The reason for this distinction comes from the vestiges of Prohibition law earlier this century. http://www.sushiandtofu.com/sushi_and_tofu/cuisine_whySakeIaAWineAndABeer.htm Jun 19 08, 10:38 AM

author

Note that sake is not the only liquour made from rice. For example the Chinese Baijiu is sometimes made from glutinous rice. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baijiu Note also this rice-flavored liquour from North Korea. I don't know if rice is the main component of this beverage, though. http://www1.korea-np.co.jp/pk/118th_issue/99110401.htm Jun 19 08, 11:03 AM