The #WorldWineTravel group is heading to Basque Country today and I am super excited. For the occasion, I bought a couple of versions of Txakoli, which I think is the perfect wine for summer. Light on the palate, on the wallet, and with a bit of bubbles. In addition our host Jill Barth’s writing about Basque Country on her platform, L’Occasion, here’s a primer that I like about Txakolina as a wine.

Basque Country is one of the four regions in what is known as Green Spain. It has a maritime climate In Basque country, everything is about two specific varieties, either alone or blended together – Hondarabbi Zuri is the white grape and Hondarabbi Beltza is the red one. The first one has small bunches and berries, is prone to wind damage and makes delicate, aromatic, refreshing wines with aromas and flavors of white citrus and flowers with lovely minerality and a hint of thyme.

I loved both of these wines. The first from Hiruzta was a blend of the two grapes, 60%/40%. I found the wine at Astor. It had great acidity and paired well with light fare such as flounder as well as with nuts.

The second wine was from Uriondo located in the village of Zaratramo. Roberto Ibarretxe and his brother planted vines in 1982 for the first time. The wine is one of the first to revive Txakolina production and they helped found the Bizkaiko Txakolina DO.

The family has a small vineyard, just 2.5 hectares and they are quite impacted by the Atlantic. Soils are a combination of clay and sand. The is made from Hondarabbi Zuri and two other very rare grapes in stainless steel – Mune Mahatsa and Txori Mahatsa. They use indigenous yeasts and the wines are vegan too. The name of the winery comes from the neighborhood where they are located.

I’ve only been to Bilbao to see the Guggenheim but I can’t wait to get back to this area for the wine and foods.

Check out the blogs of my fellow travelers to see what else is happening in this area.

#WORLDWINETRAVEL ROUNDUP

Here’s a preview of the articles you’ll enjoy and the authors that will be online this Saturday morning:

Basque Country Means Pintxos and Txakolina by Jeff at Food Wine Click

Fish Friday in the USA with a Spanish Txakolina Rosé by Wendy at A Day in the Life on the Farm

Two Versions of Txakoli, Perfect Summer Wines from Susannah at Avvinare

Pintxos and Txakoli – a celebration of Basque Country from Robin at Crushed Grape Chronicles 

Almejas en Salsa Verde (Clams in Green Sauce) + 2019 Zudugarai “Amats” Getariako Txakolina from Cam at Culinary Adventures with Camilla 

Basque Country Wines for Beginners and Great Food Pairings from Teri at Our Good Life

Recalling Spain: Ameztoi Getariako Txakolina Rubentis and Shrimp from Martin at ENOFYLZ Wine Blog

Tasty Txakolina from Basque Country calls for fish by Linda at My Full Wine Glass

Basque’s Effervescent Txakolina #WorldWineTravel from Gwendolyn at Wine Predator

The History of the Basque Culinary World Prize by Jill on L’Occasion