A mellow Chardonnay made by a Japanese person

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

Okada aims to produce high-quality wines that are handmade, which sets him apart from other large Marlborough producers.

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

The vineyards are located in the Southern Valley, a sub-region of Marlborough with rolling hills and soil made up of multiple layers of clay and gravel.

The grapes are grown organically , just like Sauvignon Blanc.

We plant the vines as closely together as possible , so that they compete with each other for moisture and nutrients in the soil , 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.

First, the scent.

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

It has a very creamy texture, and when you swallow it slowly, you can taste the tropical fruit flavors of mango more strongly than the apples you get from 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 is a well-rounded, well-rounded Chardonnay.

If you take it out of the refrigerator early and drink it at around 13°C, you can really enjoy its delicate balance.

What food goes well with it?

• Fried oysters (with tartar sauce)
• White fish yakisoba
• Salmon and chicken grilled in butter.

If you add richness to seafood like this (or chicken, too) with butter or white miso, the pairing goes much better.

About the Winery "Folium"

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

Japanese winemaker and brewer Takeki Okada is in charge of producing Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir wines.

Marlborough's climate is ideal for growing fine Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir: the large temperature difference between day and night during the growing season allows the grapes to accumulate aromatic and flavour compounds whilst retaining high natural acidity.

The soil of the winery was formed by the movement of glaciers and ancient rivers during the Ice Age. The clay-rich soil of the Brancott Valley has the characteristic of moderately suppressing grape growth. This soil retains enough moisture even in dry summers, allowing the grapes to grow in balance. In addition, by planting seedlings at a higher density than other fields in the Marlborough region, we have been able to produce more concentrated and flavorful fruit.

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

Okada says, "The fastest way to make high-quality wine is to grow high-quality grapes." In the fields, they strictly limit yields and properly manage the leaves to adjust the amount of sunlight they receive. In the fall, they carefully hand-harvest all the fully ripe fruit.

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

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

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 more than 80% of New Zealand's wine is produced there.

Among them, Sauvignon Blanc, characterized by its crisp acidity and overflowing fruitiness, is produced in overwhelming quantities and is loved worldwide for its unique character. In addition, Pinot Noir, with its rich berry fruit flavor, is also popular among red wines.

Folium Chardonnay 2021

item	Content
Winery Name	Folium
Country of Origin	new zealand
Origin	Marlborough
kinds	white
Grape variety	Chardonnay
Vintage	2021
Alcohol content	13.5%
capacity	750ml
remarks	Screw Cap