Wine of the Week! 11/29/23

Nb: This white Wine of the Week will be available Wednesday, 11/29.
The Farina Soave Classico remains on discount until then.

Nb II: Pronounce the Basque “tx” as “t + ch.”
For instance: Txomin = tcho-meen.
Etxaniz = ay-tchan-eez
Txakolina = tchaw-ko-lee-na
(At least, that’s the way we currently understand it.)

Txomin Etxaniz Txakolina

Normally $26.99 / Now on Sale for $19.96
100% Hondarrabi Zuri

On the northeastern end of Basque Country at the top of Spain, bordered by the Bay of Biscay to the north and the Pyrenees Mountains further east, bookended by the cities of Getaria and Zarautz, cradled by the rivers Urola and Oria is the Getariako Txakolina (or Txakoli de Getaria) wine region. Protected by the Atlantic from both freezing and boiling temperatures, it’s a hilly region of vineyards built on slopes so steep, they often have to be terraced. Only recognized since 1989, the region has benefitted from winemaking since the middle ages.

Txomin Etxaniz was founded and is still run by the Tsueka-Etxaniz family. Though Txomin Etxaniz, himself, started the winery that now bears his name in 1930, there are documents showing his ancestors making wine since 1649. Not surprisingly, the family is one of the most important winemaking families in the region.

For this Txakolina, Txomin Etxaniz Winery ferments Hondarrabi Zuri grapes, in stainless steel, with indigenous yeasts, keeping the temperature low to allow a small level of CO2 to remain. The resulting wine is refreshingly beautiful. With high acid and lightly sparkling, this white is zippy and crisp with a lush tropical fruit finish. It’s perfect for spicy food, sushi, and (as all coastal whites should be) other types of seafood.