Basque wine: Txakoli, Irouleguy, Navarra, Rioja Alavesa

Txakoli

A very surprising wine from the Basque country.

It is a surprisingly light and slightly sparkling wine that stands out from other Basque wines. It is available in white Txakoli, rosé Txakoli and also in red Txakoli, the least known of the three. This wine from the Basque Country has 3 appellations of controlled origin:

Txakoli de Getaria : D.O. Getariako Txakolina

This txakoli is found in the Basque province of Guipúzcoa in the coastal area around Getaria. The grape varieties used are Courbu, Petit Courbu, Gros Manseng, Riesling and Chardonnay for the white txakoli, and Hondarribi beltza for the rosé and red.

Txakoli of Bizkaia: D.O. Bizkaiako Txakolina

This txakoli is produced in the province of Biscay, on the coastal strip and also inland on a much larger surface area than its neighbours, the Txakoli de Getaria and Txakoli d'Alava. The grape varieties used are Petit Corbu, Folle Blanche, Gros Manseng, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay and Hondarribi Beltza and Hondarribi Zuri.

Txakoli d'Alava : D.O. Arabako Txakolina

This Txakoli comes from the Basque province of Alava, a little more inland than the Txakoli of Getaria or Biscay. The main grape variety is Hondarribi Zuria, but other grape varieties can also be used, such as Folle blanche, Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng and Courbu.

Irouleguy, AOC Irouleguy

The most famous Basque wine in France

Irouleguy is the only Basque wine from the northern Basque country to have a controlled appellation. It is available in red, white and rosé; the majority of production is for red Irouleguy. The grape varieties used are Tanat, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon for the reds and rosés; as for the white Irouleguy, it is produced with the Petit Corbu, Corbu, Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng grape varieties.

Rioja wine, DOC Rioja Alavesa

Rioja Alavesa wine is produced in the Basque province of Alava.

Rioja wine is known worldwide, its production is divided into 3 zones: Rioja Halta, Rioja Baja and Rioja Alavesa. This last zone is located in the Basque country. The Tempranillo grape variety is in the majority, but Graciano is also found.

Navarra, DO Navarra

This Basque wine is probably the least known of all

Navarre is one of the provinces of the Southern Basque Country. It produces red, rosé and white wines as well as some sweet muscats. The specific climate mixing oceanic, continental and Mediterranean influences gives the different terroirs of the appellation a real singularity. The grape varieties used are mainly Grenache, followed by Tempranillo, Viura, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Mazuela and Graciano.