Sake Makers Seek UNESCO Designation

For more than 1,000 years, the Japanese rice wine known as sake has been brewed. It can be served hot or cold, and its popularity has grown around the world. Brewers of the fermented alcoholic beverage are hoping sake will receive the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage designation. According to the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, sake exports make about $265 million dollars each year. Sake brewers also hope the UNESCO designation will help boost sales.