Group photo;
Credit: House of Japan
The House of Japan has announced that the fifth Luxembourg Sake Challenge took place at the residence of the Ambassador of Japan on Saturday 3 October 2026.
Organised jointly by GLOBAL LINK SARL, House of Japan and the Sake Sommelier Association Luxembourg, this year's edition focused on the theme "Sake for Gastronomy", exploring the possibilities of pairing Japanese sake with different foods. Yves-Martin Boisclair, Head of Education at the Sake Sommelier Association Luxembourg, also contributed to the organisation of the event.
A panel of sake sommeliers selected the Platinum Award winners. From these winners, sake experts representing Gault&Millau Luxembourg selected one sake, bringing a gastronomic perspective to the final choice. The House of Japan noted that the award results and the Gault&Millau Luxembourg selection will be officially announced at a later date.
“Through the Sake Challenge, we hope to introduce more people in Luxembourg to the diversity of sake and show how naturally it can be enjoyed with different cuisines,” said Makiko Gräfin von Oberndorff, organiser of the Luxembourg Sake Challenge and founder of House of Japan.
The following day, members of the public had an opportunity to discover a selection of the participating sakes during Japan Life at House of Japan in Luxembourg-Ville. Sake sommeliers introduced the sakes and discussed pairings with cheese, charcuterie and other foods.
Looking ahead to 2027, when Japan and Luxembourg will mark 100 years of diplomatic relations, the organisers said they hoped to build on this year's Sake Challenge and create further opportunities for people in Luxembourg to discover Japanese sake through food and cultural exchange.
For further information, visit https://www.houseofjapan.lu/.
