Folium Sauvignon Blanc 2024

A Profound SB Created by a Japanese Winemaker

There are currently about ten Japanese winemakers residing in New Zealand.

Most of them use their own names for their wineries, but this is not the case for "Folium".

The name "Folium" means "leaf" in Latin. "I wanted to highlight nature, which is most important for winemaking," says Takeshi Okada, a viticulturist and winemaker.

Born in Tokyo in 1978, Takeshi Okada graduated from Hokkaido University and then studied winemaking at the University of California, Davis, before moving to Marlborough, New Zealand, in 2003.

In Marlborough, he honed his skills at the French-based Clos Henri, and then, after much preparation, launched his own brand "Folium" in 2010.

Okada's wines are not the typical fruit-forward Marlborough style.

Driven by the belief that "we cannot survive if we are the same as others," he deliberately creates a Sauvignon Blanc that suppresses flamboyance.

Through meticulous grape cultivation and winemaking, he aims to produce wines with strong concentration and aging potential.

His vineyards are organically farmed with high planting density.

Surprisingly, he does not irrigate, which most wineries in New Zealand do.

Okada believes that it is natural for there to be differences in grape quality and wine between years with abundant rainfall and years with little rainfall, and he wants to express these differences accurately.

Now, let's taste Folium's Sauvignon Blanc, which is filled with such dedication.

The transparency of its color doesn't differ much from other Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs.

However, its aroma is clearly different from others.

It has a very gentle, subtly fragrant impression of lemon and white flowers. Okada says, "If the fruit aroma is too strong, it can be difficult to pair with food. So, I want to keep the aroma as subtle as possible."

Upon tasting, I first detect a firm citrus acidity. This is followed by a fruitiness reminiscent of plum, and then the refreshingness of green herbs. The umami continues robustly, and I also sense a mineral quality like wet stone in the finish. Overall, it has a dry taste with low sweetness.

One could say that it is a high-quality wine that deliberately presents itself as "refined" rather than overtly New World.

Clos Henri, where he worked before going independent, is a branch of the prestigious Henri Bourgeois of Sancerre, France. I thought that Folium had probably adopted this style in line with that influence.

I highly recommend it to those who enjoy wines from the Loire Valley in France.

This wine has a calm yet pronounced umami.

Good pairings would be salt-grilled white fish, Vongole Bianco, or shrimp fritters.

Dishes that highlight the bounty of the sea would be excellent. It would also pair well with chicken dishes garnished with herbs.

About Folium Winery

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

Led by Japanese viticulturist and winemaker Takeshi Okada, the winery is dedicated to producing Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir wines.

Marlborough's climate is ideal for cultivating high-quality Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. The significant diurnal temperature variation during the growing season allows the grapes to retain high natural acidity while developing aromatic and flavor compounds.

The vineyard's soil was formed by glacial movements during the ice age and ancient rivers. The clay-rich soil of the Brancott Valley naturally moderates vine growth. This soil retains sufficient moisture even during dry summers, helping to balance the vine's growth. Furthermore, by planting vines at a higher density compared to other vineyards in the Marlborough region, Folium achieves the production of more concentrated and flavorful fruit.

Environmental consideration is also a priority, and in 2014, the winery received certification from "Biogro," an organic farming accreditation body. A key feature is the practice of organic farming to maintain New Zealand's clean environment.

Okada says, "The shortest path to making high-quality wine is to grow high-quality grapes." In the vineyard, he implements strict yield restrictions and adjusts sun exposure by carefully managing the leaves. In autumn, all ripe fruit is meticulously hand-picked.

Folium Vineyard's philosophy is based on the belief that "winemaking begins in the vineyard." To maximize the individuality of the harvested grapes, human intervention during the winemaking process is kept to a minimum, striving to create wines that reflect the unique characteristics of the Folium Vineyard terroir.

This meticulous approach by a Japanese producer has succeeded in producing wines with unique quality and character, while leveraging the characteristics of the Marlborough land.

Mr. Okada and our sommelier, Iwasu

About the Marlborough Region

Marlborough is the heart of New Zealand's wine-producing regions.

With abundant sunshine and large diurnal temperature variations, it boasts natural conditions favorable for grape cultivation. Over 80% of New Zealand's wine is produced in Marlborough.

Among these, Sauvignon Blanc, characterized by crisp acidity and abundant fruitiness, boasts overwhelming production volume and is widely loved worldwide for its unique character. For red wines, Pinot Noir, with its appealing rich berry flavors, is popular.

Folium Sauvignon Blanc 2024