You Only Live Twice - Part one

In this episode of 'Red Wine with Fish' we're off to Japan for part one of our exploration of You Only Live Twice (book published 1964, film released 1967).

Featuring Sean Connery as James Bond and Akiko Wakabayashi ask Aki, with Donald Pleasence as the arch nemesis Blofeld.

We start with an unknown spacecraft capturing an American capsule in orbit. With the US and the Soviet Union up in arms, WWIII is on the brink. Only one man can get to the bottom of it - British agent James Bond. And when he is seemingly assassinated in Hong Kong, he is able to operate unseen, travelling to Tokyo and meeting head of Japanese Secret Service Tiger Tanaka and agent Aki who are also trying to uncover the truth. Bond traces the suspicious liquid oxygen supplies used by the spacecraft to Osato Chemicals and travels to a remote fishing village where he begins his infiltration of the scheme spearheaded by his arch nemesis, Blofeld.

Fleming's book is wonderfully peppered with the flavours of Japan when it comes to food and drink. A raid of Osato's luxury hidden drinks cabinet reveals 'Siamese vodka' before moving on to the taste and traditions of sake, including what temperature it should be served at, Bond's issue with the size of sake cups and why you should never serve your own sake. Shochu makes an appearance, we explain the meaning of 'drinking Western' and the discovery of the 'hamlette'. Along the way there is Asahi, brandy & ginger, and more about eggs (it is James Bond after all!)

***

DRINK ALONG!

Time Machine amber sake - buy it here

***

EAT ALONG!

Roast grouse (with pink Champagne)

***

Get in touch with the show: info@redwinewithfishpodcast.com

Follow us on Instagram: @redwinewithfishpodcast