Recognition of sake in France and the potential for its diffusion

Through a questionnaire survey of consumers and sommeliers in France

Abstract

This article clarifies the current state of recognition and diffusion of sake in France and discusses the future development of the sake market abroad. In recent years, the consumption of sake in Japan has continued to decline. More and more sake breweries are closing down and there is an urgent need to develop new sales channels for sake. In the meantime, the amount of sake exported abroad tends to increase year by year. Therefore, in this study, we investigated how sake is actually accepted abroad, targeting France, one of the countries with the highest unit price for sake. As a research method, a questionnaire survey was carried out among 92 consumers living in France and 96 sommeliers who are the judges of sake competition, in order to analyse the sake market in France and discuss its future potential. As a result, a questionnaire survey of consumers showed breakaway from the typical image of sake as an alcohol to be matched with Japanese food, and at the same time confirmed the potential of sake in French food culture. On the other hand, a questionnaire survey of sommeliers revealed that while sake is gradually entering the French gastronomic scene through sommeliers, there is still a lack of information and education on sake, and the need to clarify the position of sake in France, where wine culture is firmly rooted.