Enjoy these drinks during the Olympics opening ceremony
After a yearlong delay, the Games of the XXXII Olympiad begin Friday with the opening ceremony at Olympic Stadium in Tokyo.
Japan is a country rich with culture and tradition, and Tokyo is a city with a culinary and drinks scene that’s as vibrant and diverse as the more than 11,000 athletes competing in this year’s Games.
If you will be one of the hundreds of millions around the world watching the parade of nations, lighting of the cauldron and the symbolic releasing of the doves, consider these drinks from around the world:
Sake
Sake, made by fermenting milled rice, originated more than 2,000 years ago. It’s considered Japan’s national alcoholic beverage and is growing in popularity with Americans. While the U.S. is the largest importer of Japanese sake, a growing number of artisan producers are making compelling sake in the States.
One of the most exciting American artisan sake producers is Charlottesville-based North American Sake Brewery. Founded in 2016, sake maker (called “toji”) Andrew Centofante and team are making traditional and experimental sakes that rival the quality from Japan.
While you watch the opening ceremony, try North American’s dry, earthy and smooth extra-dry sake, Quiet Giant, to pair with a range of dishes from salads to sushi. North American plans to release a special ginjo sake for the Games.
International option: Look to the Olympic host country for exceptional sake ranging from dry to off-dry to sparkling.
Wines and bubbles
Sparkling wine is a go-to for special occasions — and what better event to pop a cork than the opening ceremony?
Look to a historic producer of sparkling wines, Schramsberg. Situated in the Calistoga area of the Napa Valley, Schramsberg was established in the mid-19th century by German immigrant Jacob Schram and restored in 1965 (the year after Tokyo hosted its first Summer Olympic Games) by the Davies family.
Schramsberg offers 10 sparkling wines across a range of prices and styles. For a splurge, pop the cork on a bottle of its 2012 Reserve, a fruity and toasty Pinot-dominant cuvee. The fresh and vibrant 2018 Blanc de Blancs, made from 100% Chardonnay, is also a delicious value.
Make a sparkling cocktail by adding 1 ounce of Fourth Handle Gin from Virginia Beach-based Tarnished Truth Distilling,
½ ounce of fresh lemon juice, ½ ounce of simple syrup and 3 ounces of Schramsberg sparkling wine.
International option: Berlucchi ’61 Franciacorta Brut, a zesty sparkling wine with green apple, pear and salty notes. Situated in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, Franciacorta is a region to look to for exciting and elegant sparkling wines.
Pinot Noir: U.S. Olympic basketball coach Gregg Popovich is a serious oenophile and part-owner of the Oregon-based winery A to Z Wineworks. For a light, fruity and earthy Pinot, try A to Z’s 2019 Pinot Noir.
Also consider the 2018 Pinot Noir from Gaderian, the California-based winery co-founded by 12-time Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin Hall, one of the most decorated female swimmers.
International option: Maison Shaps Burgundy Pommard 2017 Les Vignots from Michael Shaps, who makes wine in Charlottesville and Burgundy, France.
Beer
To keep life simple and refreshing, reach for the Little by Little Foeder Aged German Pilsner from Norfolk-based Benchtop Brewing.
International option: Look to Germany for many delicious Pilsners, including the Bitburger
Premium Pilsner.
Cocktails
The classic American old fashioned. Ironclad Distillery in Newport News has a range of bourbons for your local taste.
International option: Traditional Spanish sangria
Nonalcoholic option: Popularized by the German Olympic team at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeong-Chang, South Korea, low- and nonalcoholic beverages are gaining traction. Athletic Brewing Co., based in Stratford, Connecticut, offers a line of nonalcoholic brews ranging from an IPA to a light Mexican-style beer.