A mellow Chardonnay made by a Japanese

This Chardonnay from "Folium" by Japanese grower and winemaker Takeki Okada is a rare wine with an annual production of less than 2,000 bottles.

Okada aims to produce high-quality wine that is unique to handmade wines, unlike other large producers in Marlborough.

This Chardonnay is not a flashy, big wine, but rather a wine that pursues delicacy .

The vineyards are located in the Southern Valley, a subregion of Marlborough with rolling hills and soils made up of layers of clay and gravel.

The grapes are grown organically , just like Sauvignon Blanc.

We aim to plant the vines as closely together as possible , so that the vines compete with each other for moisture and nutrients underground , allowing the roots to grow deep and firmly underground.

And to improve the quality of the fruit, we are reducing the yield per vine.

"Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are harvested at the same time. With limited manpower, it is difficult to harvest all at once. Even so, we were able to secure high-quality grapes."

That's what Mr. Okada said when he visited Nagoya.

Tasting Comments

It has the freshness of apples , the elegance of white flowers , and the aroma of roasted almonds from the barrel , giving it an overall gentle impression.

The taste is very creamy , and when you sip it slowly, you can taste the tropical fruit flavors of mango more strongly than the apple that you might have noticed on the nose.

The acidity is reminiscent of citrus fruits but is rather gentle , and the aftertaste is reminiscent of cooked butter .

No single element stands out. Each element is gentle and well-integrated. It can be said that the result is a Chardonnay with a rounded, well-rounded flavor.

If you take it out of the refrigerator early and drink it at around 13°C, you will be able to enjoy its delicate balance.

Pairing example

What food goes well with it?

• Fried oysters (tartar sauce)
• White fish grilled in Saikyo style
• Grilled salmon or chicken in butter.

Adding richness to seafood like this (or chicken is fine too) with butter or white miso will greatly improve the pairing.

About the Folium Winery

Folium Vineyard is an 8-hectare winery established in June 2010 in Brancott Valley, Marlborough, in the northeast of New Zealand's South Island.

The winery is led by Japanese grower and brewer Takeki Okada, and is engaged in the production of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir wines.

Marlborough's climate is ideal for growing fine Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, with large day-night temperature differences during the growing season allowing the grapes to accumulate aromatic and flavour compounds whilst maintaining high natural acidity.

The winery's soil was formed by the movement of glaciers and ancient rivers during the Ice Age. The Brancott Valley's clay-rich soil provides just the right amount of restraint for grape growing. The soil retains sufficient moisture even in dry summers, allowing the grapes to grow in balance. Furthermore, the vines are planted at a higher density than in other Marlborough vineyards, resulting in the production of more concentrated, flavorful fruit.

They also place importance on environmental considerations, and were certified by the organic farming certification organization "Biogro" in 2014. They are known for practicing organic farming methods in order to maintain New Zealand's clean environment.

Okada says, "The quickest way to make high-quality wine is to grow high-quality grapes." He strictly limits yields in the fields and adjusts the amount of sunlight by properly managing the leaves. In the fall, he is particular about carefully hand-picking all the fully ripe fruit.

Folium Vineyard's philosophy is based on the belief that winemaking begins in the vineyard. In order to maximize the individuality of the harvested grapes, we strive to minimize human intervention during the winemaking process, producing wines that reflect the unique characteristics of Folium Vineyard's land.

This Japanese producer's careful approach has enabled them to take advantage of the characteristics of the Marlborough land and produce wines of unique quality and character.

Okada and our sommelier Iwasu

About Marlborough

Marlborough is the heart of New Zealand's wine region.

Marlborough has ideal natural conditions for grape growing, such as abundant sunshine and large temperature differences throughout the day, and produces over 80% of New Zealand's wine.

Among them, Sauvignon Blanc, characterized by its crisp acidity and overflowing fruitiness, boasts an overwhelming production volume and is loved worldwide for its unique character. In red wine, Pinot Noir, with its rich berry fruit flavor, is also popular.

Folium Chardonnay 2021

item	Content
Winery Name	Folium
Country of origin	new zealand
Origin	Marlborough
kinds	white
Grape varieties	Chardonnay
Vintage	2021
Alcohol content	13.5%
capacity	750ml
remarks	screw cap