(Marina Giordano pictured at center; article by Alessandra Polina)
Sake is a unique, complex beverage in which interest in the United States has grown over the past few years, but it is still widely misunderstood. Marina Giordano, a sake expert and educator, has made it her mission to demystify the world of sake and get more Americans interested in the ancient beverage.
Marina is well equipped to spread her wealth of knowledge of sake. After spending significant time studying sake production in multiple regions of Japan and earning many credentials including a WSET Certified Sake Educator and the Japan Sommelier Association Sake Diploma, Marina has found her passion in educating and introducing others to the beauty and versatility of sake. “There is a sake for everyone, but most people just haven’t found it yet,” says Giordano.
Rooted in Marina’s desire for people to understand and like sake, she created an annual event, Sake Day East, as one of the many ways she is introducing more people to sake. The event coincides with the beginning of the sake brewing season and provides opportunities to generate a new awareness of sake to the people of Boston and New England by sharing with them the rich history behind sake. This year’s event will take place on Friday, September 30th in Boston, Massachusetts.
Although it was the first large-scale sake event in New England, Sake Day East 2021 was very successful and gave Marina the confidence that there are many sake lovers in New England. The event has since added opportunities to participate in guided tastings, enjoy food pairings, and sample sake produced by a local sake brewery.
In addition to growing and expanding Sake Day East, Marina has been busy building The Wine & Sake Experience over the last ten years. The Wine & Sake Experience is an educational initiative for consumers and professionals alike which has allowed Marina to dive into her passion for wine and sake by teaching others. Since her start, she has had the privilege of teaching all over the world. Teaching additionally with Grape Experience and Commonwealth Wine School has given Marina the chance to provide WSET Certificate classes and to develop sake classes for consumers.
Giordano shares, “This was originally a “plan B” for my career–a way to support my family while continuing to do the work I loved. After discovering sake, introducing people to the beverage has become my passion. It is such a cool moment to get people to understand what ‘good’ sake is! “
Thank you, Giordano, and good luck with your endeavors. We hope this year’s Sake Day East is an even bigger success.
