Delicious SB made by Japanese people

There are currently about 10 Japanese winemakers living in New Zealand.

Most of them name their wineries after themselves, but this "Folium" is not one of them.

The name "Folium" means "leaf" in Latin. "We wanted to bring nature, which is the most important element in winemaking, to the forefront," says grower and brewer Takeki Okada.

Okada was born in Tokyo in 1978. After graduating from Hokkaido University, he studied winemaking at the University of California, Davis, before moving to Marlborough, New Zealand in 2003.

At Marlborough, he honed his skills at Clos Henri, based in France, before launching his own brand, Folium, in 2010.

The wines Okada makes are not the typical fruit-heavy Marlborough style.

Believing that "we cannot survive by being the same as others," we deliberately create a subdued Sauvignon Blanc.

Through careful grape cultivation and brewing, we aim to produce wines that are concentrated and have the ability to age.

The fields are organically cultivated and are planted at a high density.

And surprisingly, they don't use irrigation, which is something most New Zealand wineries do.

It is natural that there will be differences in the quality of grapes and wine between years with a lot of rain and years with little rain, and Okada wants to properly express this.

Now, let's try tasting Folium's Sauvignon Blanc, which is packed with such attention to detail.

The clarity of the color is not much different from other Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs.

But the scent is definitely different.

It has a very gentle scent with a soft aroma of lemon and white flowers . Okada says, "If the fruit scent is too strong, it can be difficult to pair with food. That's why I want to keep the scent as subtle as possible."

When you put it in your mouth, you first feel a strong citrus acidity . This is followed by plum -like fruitiness and the refreshing green herb flavor. The umami flavor continues well , and you can also feel the minerality of wet stone in the aftertaste. Overall, it has a dry taste with little sweetness .

Rather, I would say it is a high-quality wine that has been deliberately made to be "gentle" without emphasizing its New World characteristics.

Clos Henri, where he worked before going independent, is a branch of the prestigious Henri Bourgeois family in Sancerre, France, and I think Folium has chosen this style in line with that tradition.

I highly recommend this to anyone who likes wines from the Loire Valley in France.

This wine is calm yet flavorful.

Good pairings would include grilled salted white fish, vongole bianco, and shrimp fritters.

I think a menu that lets you fully experience the bounty of the sea would be good, and it would also go well with dishes like chicken seasoned with herbs.

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 Sauvignon Blanc 2023

item	Content
Winery Name	Folium
Country of origin	new zealand
Origin	Marlborough
kinds	white
Grape varieties	Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage	2023
Alcohol content	13.5%
capacity	750ml
remarks	screw cap