Basque wine: Txakoli, Irouleguy, Navarra, Rioja Alavesa
Txakoli
A most surprising wine from the Basque country.
This is a surprising wine with its lightness and slight sparkle, which sets it apart from other Basque wines. It is available in white Txakoli, rosé Txakoli, and also red Txakoli, probably the least known of the three. This wine from the Basque country has three registered designations of origin:
Txakoli of Getaria: DO Getariako Txakolina
This txakoli is found in the Basque province of Gipuzkoa 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 Biscay: DO Bizkaiako Txakolina
Head to the province of Biscay for this txakoli produced on the coastal strip and also inland over a much larger area than its neighbors, the txakoli of Getaria and the txakoli of Alava. The grape varieties used are Petit Corbu, Folle Blanche, Gros Manseng, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, as well as Hondarribi Beltza and Hondarribi Zuri.
Txakoli of Alava: DO Arabako Txakolina
This txakoli comes from the Basque province of Alava, a little further inland than the txakoli of Getaria or Biscay. The main grape variety is Hondarribi Zuria, but other grape varieties can be used, such as Folle Blanche, Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng, and Courbu.
Irouleguy, AOC Irouleguy
Basque wine is undoubtedly one of the the most famous Basque product in France
The only Basque wine in the northern Basque country to have a controlled designation of origin, Irouleguy is available in red, white and rosé wines; the majority of production is red Irouleguy. The grape varieties used are Tanat, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon for the reds and rosés; as for white Irouleguy, they are 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, and its production is divided into three zones: Rioja Halta, Rioja Baja, and Rioja Alavesa. The latter zone is located in the Basque Country. The Tempranillo grape variety is the dominant grape variety, 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 muscat. The specific climate, combining oceanic, continental, and Mediterranean influences, gives the appellation's various terroirs a truly unique character. The grape varieties used are primarily Grenache, followed by Tempranillo, Viura, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Mazuela, and Graciano.
