Wines are derived primarily from grapes, and beers are primarily derivatives of grains. Though popularized as a wine, sake is a rice-based beverage. Despite its flatness when compared to beer...here's the answer... surprisingly, sake is actually a beer.

It is made via a technique in which a mold, the koji, prepares rice for fermentation. The rice is then brewed into sake. This method is generally not employed in the West. Premium sakes are made with highly polished rice.

Experiment by serving sake as you would any white, dry wine. After opening, any sake surplus will store well-sealed and chilled in the refrigerator for two to three weeks.

Many people restrict the thrill of this "beer" to the winter months, believing that sake must always be heated when sipped. Untrue! Another surprise! Summertime sake lovers take note. May I suggest...chilled sake is sublime.

In closing, sake surprise #???: Though the national alcoholic drink of Japan, sake originated...where? In China!