Basque Country

Overview

The Basque Country is a small but distinctive wine region on Spain's northern Atlantic coast. Its three Txakoli DOs, Getariako Txakolina, Bizkaiko Txakolina, and Arabako Txakolina, produce light, high-acid, low-alcohol whites from steep coastal and inland vineyards. The cool, rainy climate and Atlantic breezes define the style.

Hondarrabi Zuri is the dominant white grape, yielding pale, slightly spritzy wines with citrus, green apple, and saline notes. Hondarrabi Beltza is used for small amounts of rosé and red Txakoli. The wines are famously poured from height to accentuate their gentle effervescence and are inseparable from Basque food culture.

Key Varietals

• Hondarrabi ZuriThe main white grape of Txakoli, producing crisp, saline, lightly fizzy wines.
• Hondarrabi BeltzaThe Basque red grape used for tangy rosés and light reds in small quantities.
• Folle BlancheAn authorized white variety adding floral and citrus nuance to some Txakoli blends.
• Gros MansengAn aromatic Basque-French grape contributing tropical fruit and body.