Green Songs Funky Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Enjoying the Evolution of Sauvignon Blanc

When I first drank this wine in its home region, I was genuinely shocked by how much it had transformed. It was completely different from the one I had tasted a year earlier in Japan.

It makes sense, though—this Sauvignon Blanc is a wine that changes its expression astonishingly with age.

"I think it's delicious right now," Kohei Koyama said with calm indifference.

However, looking at the wine professionals with me, we shared a look and said,

"No, no, this is... this is quite an incredible wine!"

Ingredients and Winemaking

This wine is made from 100% organically grown Sauvignon Blanc.
In fact, the grapes come from the same vineyard as "URLAR," which is also managed by Mr. Koyama.

What makes it different is the winemaking process.
After being hand-picked, the grapes are put into open-top fermenters as whole bunches without destemming.
Without temperature control, it ferments while undergoing skin contact at ambient temperatures for about two weeks.
The wine is punched down once a day to draw out umami and aromatics from the skins and seeds.
Afterwards, it is destemmed and aged in old barrels for 5 months. It is bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Taste and Aroma

The first thing that catches the eye is the vibrant golden hue.
It sets itself apart from the clear, green-tinted appearance of typical Sauvignon Blanc.

The aroma carries notes of red apple, mango, quince, and a faint touch of honey.
Rather than impressions of passion fruit or citrus, the dense and profound maturity of the fruit comes to the forefront.
With a smooth texture, minerality that tickles the roof of the mouth, and a long-lasting finish, this is a unique, full-bodied style that has gone beyond the boundaries of "Sauvignon Blanc."

Pairing Suggestions

What makes you feel the depth of this wine is its surprisingly wide range of pairings.
In particular, it is an exceptional match for Japanese cuisine.

■ Japanese Cuisine

• Tempura (shrimp, sand borer, vegetables)
  　The aroma and texture of the oil harmonize exquisitely.

• Pork and Chinese cabbage hot pot / Simmered chicken with grated radish
  　The gentle sweetness and acidity pair well with the dashi broth and condiments.

■ Western Style

• Grilled pork loin with mustard sauce
  　The body of the wine closely accompanies the meat and seasonings.

• Soft-ripened cheese (Brie, Camembert)
  　The aging aroma and fruit flavors resonate, creating a sensual finish.

■ Chinese Cuisine

• Yulinji (deep-fried chicken with scallion sauce)
  　The aroma of the fried chicken and the sweet-and-sour aromatic sauce match perfectly with the fruitiness of the wine. The minerality washes away the oil nicely.

• Sweet and sour pork with black vinegar
  　The deep acidity of the black vinegar and the richness of the fruit echo the sauce's sweetness and honey-like nuances.

Final Thoughts

A funky and meticulously designed bottle that overturns the image of "Sauvignon Blanc."
Packed with Kohei Koyama's "playfulness and foresight," this is an astonishing white wine you must experience.

About the Winery "Green Songs"

"Green Songs" is a winery run by Japanese winemaker Kohei Koyama.

After a successful business career in Tokyo and London, Kohei aspired to become a winemaker and moved to New Zealand in 2011.

He studied viticulture and enology at Lincoln University, graduating at the top of his class—a first for a Japanese student. He then learned winemaking firsthand in New Zealand and California, and in 2014, finally partnered with Atamai Village in the Nelson region to establish his own winery.

Atamai Village is a community where orchards and farms are operated collectively with the shared goal of living with the lowest possible impact on the Earth's environment.

Kohei is also the viticulturist and winemaker for a winery called "URLAR" located in Gladstone in the Wairarapa region. URLAR is owned by Yoichiro Nishi, the 8th generation head of Nishi Sake Brewery in Kagoshima Prefecture.

Currently based primarily in Gladstone, Kohei is expanding his winemaking range and enriching the Green Songs lineup. We look forward to his future successes.

About the Wairarapa Region

Located in the southeast of New Zealand's North Island, "Wairarapa" is a popular resort area, easily accessible just about an hour's drive from the capital, Wellington.

The "Martinborough" sub-region in this area is known as one of the world's top Pinot Noir producers, as its climate and soil conditions are very similar to those of Burgundy, France.

Green Songs Funky Sauvignon Blanc 2020

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