MONACO SAKE AWARD 2026 entry now open! Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Japan-Monaco Diplomatic Relations, New Categories Including Sparkling, Craft Sake, and Fruit Liqueurs Established.

MONACO SAKE AWARD 2026 Final Judging Venue Scene ■ A glamorous exchange where H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco himself raises a glass The "MONACO SAKE AWARD" is an award held in the Principality of Monaco, facing the Mediterranean Sea. The greatest feature of this competition is that H.S.H. Prince Albert II, the sovereign of the Principality of Monaco, personally conducts the final judging and tasting. It is a glamorous opportunity for brewers to showcase their carefully crafted sake directly to local top sommeliers and VIPs. ■ Expanding doors to new genres in celebration of the 20th anniversary 2026 marks the momentous 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Monaco. To celebrate this auspicious year, in addition to "Japanese Sake," which is the main pillar of this award, we are broadly accepting entries for "Sparkling" to adorn celebratory occasions. Furthermore, new categories have been established for "Fruit Liqueurs" (such as plum wine and yuzu wine), which are gaining interest in Europe, as well as "Craft Sake" and "Doburoku" born from free-thinking ideas, and as a special category, "Japanese Wine." ■ Welcoming entries from brewers in Japan and around the world This award is open to all brewers, regardless of size, who are passionate about sake brewing. Would you like to deliver your sake to the people of Monaco, who are eagerly awaiting to discover the diverse and wonderful alcoholic beverages of Japan? Entries are accepted until Friday, July 3rd. ■ Application Overview ・Sparkling Category (Sparkling Sake) ・Fruit Liqueur Category (Fruit Liqueur) ・SAKE & Variety Category (Doburoku, Craft Sake , low-alcohol sake with an alcohol content of 12% or less, etc.) ・Japanese Wine Exhibition (Japanese Wine, Sparkling Wine) The MONACO SAKE AWARD will celebrate its 6th edition in 2026 as an international sake competition. The preliminary judging will be conducted by the Monaco Sommelier Association at the five-star hotel "Le Méridien Beach Plaza" in Monaco, while the final judging and award ceremony will be held at the VIP social club "Yacht Club de Monaco." The judges will include H.S.H. Prince Albert II, the Palace Chef of the Principality of Monaco, executive chefs from leading hotels and restaurants, top sommeliers, and VIPs from various countries. The main focus of this competition is Japanese sake, and entries from Junmai Daiginjo to Honjozo will be judged fairly, without superiority based on category, from long-established breweries to new ones. ■ MONACO SAKE AWARD 2026 Judging Categories and Awards At the MONACO SAKE AWARD 2026, the following 10 types of awards will be determined. With the exception of the "Grand Prix," which is the highest honor, multiple brands may receive each award. 【Highest Award and Special Awards】 ●Grand Prix Awarded to the sake that achieves the highest score in the judges' additive scoring evaluation. ●Marriage Award Awarded to the sake deemed to have the best compatibility with this year's theme ingredient. This year's Marriage Award ingredient for 2026 is 'Porcini'. ●【Gold Award for Each Category】 Awarded to sake that receives excellent evaluations in each respective category. ・Junmai Daiginjo / Daiginjo Category (Target: Junmai Daiginjo, Daiginjo) ・Junmai Ginjo / Ginjo Category (Target: Junmai Ginjo, Ginjo) ・Junmai / Honjozo Category (Target: Junmai, Honjozo) ・Ordinary Sake Category (Target: Ordinary Sake) ・Sparkling Category (Target: Sparkling Sake) ・Fruit Liqueur Category (Target: Fruit Liqueur) ・SAKE & Variety Category (Target: Doburoku, Craft Sake (other brewed alcoholic beverages with added secondary ingredients such as fruits or herbs during fermentation), low-alcohol sake with an alcohol content of 12% or less, etc.) ・Japanese Wine Exhibition (Target: Japanese Wine, Sparkling Wine) Please consider entering this opportunity. https://monacosake.com/entry/entry2026.html ●Regarding Entries ・Multiple brands can be submitted. ・Nama-zake (unpasteurized sake) is not eligible for judging. ・Four bottles (at least 500ml per bottle) are required per brand. ・Commercially available products, or unreleased alcoholic beverages planned specifically for this award, are also accepted. ・Please cooperate with packaging that can withstand international air transport. (e.g., use of decorative boxes, cushioning material) ・Selected entry sake will be tasted by judges in Monaco in October (scheduled). ・The entrusted entry sake will be carefully stored under the organizer's management in a designated refrigerated warehouse until judging. 　Later, for related events Keywords: (Empty)