ESSENCE 5 BY CHARTIER

After creating a small revolution in Japan since 2017 with his “New art of blending sake crafted for wine lovers”, with luxury brand Tanaka 1789 X Chartier, world-renowned sake master blender and flavor specialist François Chartier is pleased to unveil his innovative new sake project:

With Essence5, Chartier draws on his thirty-five years of experience in the world of tasting and beverage production, as well as in the art of blending, to develop new sake Blends for sake and wine lovers, as well as to unveil his Selections from Japanese craft breweries.

Presenting authentic discoveries and unveiling highly specialized artisanal sake family breweries, François Chartier, with the Essence5 team, shares the results of his recent creations and discoveries in Japan, a country where he has traveled and worked since 1995.

These jewels, which come directly from each brewery in exclusive, limited quantities, are now available for import, with first orders already in the UK, Spain, Portugal and Quebec.

The first Essence 5 Chartier Blend and Chartier Selection sakes currently available come from the Nagayama Shuzo craft brewery in the renowned Yamaguchi prefecture. They will be joined in early 2025 by other Chartier blends and selections, notably from the famous Ninja Seko Shuzo brewery in Shiga.

the story of ESSENCE 5 BY CHARTIEr

Japan is the country that always stands out.

Culturally unique, independent in thought and, for centuries, isolated from outside influences. The last century was marked by a desire for evolution, innovation and influence. The sake breweries collaborating on the Essence5 project are a symbol of authenticity and traditional know-how. Chartier’s creativity brings contrast and freshness of spirit.

Chartier is a creative thinker who specializes in reinvention – whether of molecular harmonies, science, food, wine, beer or sake. Reflecting his hometown (Montreal) and drawing inspiration from the city where he’s lived since 2016 (Barcelona), we’re often surprised by the way he reimagines staples we’ve known for millennia.

This story is their encounter.

About the Essence5 SAKE team

François Chartier, Master Blender E5 sake

With the expertise of over 35 years in tasting and oenology, coupled with the intensive work of developing new sakes to create revolutionary blends “crafted for wine lovers” since 2017, in Miyagi (Japan), This Canadian aromatician, who lives in Barcelona (Spain), won the world’s best sommelier award for French wines and spirits at the Grand Prix Sopexa in Paris in 1994 and the world’s best innovative cookbook award twice in 2010 and 2015 with the books Papilles et Molécules and L’Essentiel de Chartier, is also the creator, in 2002, of the aromatic science of molecura harmonies.

Isabelle Moren

Partner of François Chartier, co-founder of Chartier World LAB and sommelier. Having worked in all restaurant professions, from sommelier to director/manager for 20 years in France, the United States, the United Kingdom and Spain, Isabelle’s experience was acquired in luxury hotels (5 stars) and Michelin-starred restaurants. Since 2017, she has been developing many types of aromatic projects around the world with the Chartier team. She also collaborates with François on sake vision, marketing and sales.

Benoit Champagne

Sales and Marketing Director, Nijikai Saké Inc (CEO), WSET Sake Level 3. Based in Montreal, Benoit has extensive experience in Japan with various breweries and is fluent in Japanese.

Rémi Cousin

Distributor for UK.
Originally from France, Rémi Cousin moved to the UK in 2004 to work with Hotel du Vin de Gérard Basset. In 2008, he joined Heston Blumenthal’s three Michelin-starred The Fat Duck as Assistant Sommelier. He began working at Michel Roux Jr’s Michelin Le Gavroche 2* Michelin as Head Sommelier in 2016 from 2024.
Cousin holds the advanced sommelier certificate from the Court of Master Sommeliers. He joined François Chartier’s team in October 2024. 

Chartier sake quotes

“One of the most sought-after sakes in the world”.
Time Out, Hong Kong

“A masterpiece of blending. This is a revolutionary sake with the potential to age like a great wine.
Wine Access

  “Mr. Chartier has opened a new door to a new world of sake. Finally, Chartier has become a mediator between the wine and sake industries.”
Yoshinobu Kimura, Sommelier and co-owner of Sushi M restaurant, Tokyo

“I’ve really enjoyed Chartier sake. If we had to name a similar wine, it would be a young white Burgundy.”
Jancis Robinson