# Sato Riesling (2023)

- **Producer:** Sato Wines
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Riesling
- **Region:** Central Otago, New Zealand
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €35
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** lemon, lime, grapefruit, peach, blossom, apple, ginger, biscuit, yeast

## About this wine

Sato Wines was founded in 2009 by Yoshiaki and Kyoko Sato, former international bankers who relocated from Japan to Central Otago to pursue their passion for low-intervention winemaking. Based in the cool-climate region of Central Otago, New Zealand, they have earned a stellar reputation for crafting exceptionally pure, textured, and expressive wines. They focus on biodynamic vineyard management and minimal cellar interference, allowing the unique terroir of Central Otago's schist soils to shine through in every bottle.

## Interesting facts

- Founded by Yoshiaki and Kyoko Sato, who left successful careers in international banking to make natural wine.
- The estate practices strict biodynamic farming to promote soil health and biodiversity in Central Otago.
- All wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve their natural texture and aromatic complexity.

## Food pairing

The searing natural acidity of this dry Riesling cuts effortlessly through rich, fatty dishes like pork belly, while its vibrant citrus profile and textured mouthfeel beautifully complement spicy, aromatic Asian cuisine and delicate seafood.

## Wine making process

The grapes are hand-harvested from organically farmed vineyards in Central Otago. In the cellar, the fruit is gently whole-bunch pressed. Fermentation occurs spontaneously using only indigenous yeasts in neutral French oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. The wine is aged on its fine lees to build texture and complexity. In line with natural winemaking philosophies, the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered, with only a minimal addition of sulfur dioxide before bottling.