The best Txakoli in the Twin Cities
Offer available through Monday, 7/15/2024, or as inventory lasts.
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Hi everyone –
Summer is in full force. The first weekend of 90 degree days along with high dew points (remember, humidity doesn’t matter, only dew point!).
It’s time for some Txakoli! And we’ve recently come across the single best Txakoli we’ve ever had, and it’s newly available in the Twin Cities.
First, let’s make sure you’re up to speed on Txakoli and the Basque Country in Spain, then we’ll get into why this is the perfect July bottle of wine.
Exploring Basque Country and Txakoli
When you say “Basque Country” to most wine, food, and art lovers there are two things that come to mind: the Guggenheim in Bilbao (and exploring Bilbao in general), and the tapas-loving city of San Sebastian.
But there’s a very special place located between Bilbao and San Sebastian, right on the ocean. It’s a little fishing village called Getaria, which is where today’s wine is from.
Getaria is a fishing village about 30 minutes west of San Sebastián, and an hour outside of Bilbao. With a population of only 2500, it’s very much the opposite of tourist-choked San Sebastián.
Clinging to the edge of Spain, the old village juts out to the ocean where the fishing boats still head out every morning for the day’s catch. The streets are narrow, the fish is always the freshest you could imagine, and there is an outdoor grilling culture unique to the area (ancient grills built into the outsides of the old buildings).
Angela enjoying grilled monkfish with a bottle of Txakoli, in the town of Getaria, September 2023. The ocean was about 30 feet away.
Tasting the ocean: Txakoli 101
Txakoli is a crisp and refreshing wine, hailing from this part of the Basque Country near the oceanside. This wine is typically made from indigenous grape varieties, such as the white Hondarrabi Zuri and the red Hondarrabi Beltza. Txakoli’s signature acidity, citric edges, light effervescence, and low alcohol content make it a perfect companion for the region’s seafood dishes and pintxos.
Its distinct flavor profile and unique winemaking methods (fermentation in stainless steel tanks plus the influence of the Atlantic Ocean) contribute to its appeal and a growing global fan base.
Txakoli comes in several distinct styles, each with its own characteristics and flavor profiles. The primary styles of Txakoli are as follows:
- Txakoli de Getaria: This is the top style of Txakoli, originating in the coastal town of Getaria in the Basque Country. It is made primarily from the Hondarrabi Zuri grape variety, resulting in a vibrant and slightly effervescent white wine. Txakoli de Getaria is known for its high acidity, light to medium body, and aromas of green apples, citrus, and a hint of saline minerality. It is often poured from a height to create a natural spritz, which enhances its refreshing character.
- Txakoli de Bizkaia: Produced in the neighboring province of Biscay (Bizkaia), this style of Txakoli is also made from Hondarrabi Zuri, but it can have subtle differences in flavor due to variations in terroir and winemaking techniques. It tends to be equally zesty and crisp, with a touch of sea breeze in the aroma.
- Txakoli de Alava: In the province of Alava, this style of Txakoli is crafted primarily from the grape variety Hondarrabi Zuri Zerratia. It is often considered the most mineral-driven and least effervescent of the three styles, with prominent citrus notes and a bracing acidity that pairs wonderfully with regional dishes.
- Txakoli Rosé: Some Txakoli producers also make rosé versions from the Hondarrabi Beltza grape variety, resulting in a bright and slightly effervescent pink wine. These rosés are fruity and lively, offering flavors of red berries and a refreshing finish.
While these are the primary styles of Txakoli, there can be variations and nuances within each category, depending on the specific winery and the microclimate of the vineyards. Regardless of the style, Txakoli wines are celebrated for their ability to complement the flavors of Basque cuisine, such as seafood, pintxos, and grilled dishes, making them a cherished part of the region’s culinary culture.
This is the single best Txakoli available in the Twin Cities: Ulacia!
Hailing from a six hectare estate planted in the 1940’s. Only 6000 cases are produced at the winery annually (this is one of three wines they make). In other words, precious little of this wine comes to America and only a scant bit lands here in Minnesota (like under twenty cases total).
It’s composed of 95% Hondarrabi Zuri 5% Hondarrabi Beltza, and clocks in at a refreshing 11% alcohol.
So what makes this the best Txakoli in the Twin Cities today? Three key distinctions.
First, there seems to be a lift of freshness to this wine that goes above and beyond other Txakoli we’ve tried in 2024. Don’t get me wrong, all have been fresh and lively and fun, but this one goes above and beyond. I compare it to smelling lilac scented room freshener vs. a fresh bouquet of lilacs. The fresh bouquet will always be better.
Second, this wine has more layers of aromatic detail that all others in the market today. Again, don’t get me wrong … Txakoli in general tends to have detailed aromas and this one has the typical grocery list of lime zest and green apple and fresh floral aromas. But dig just a touch deeper and all of the sudden exotic guava, pineapple, sea spray, and minerality comes through. There is simply MORE going on here.
Third, the finish on this wine is LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG and beautiful. Normally a Txakoli will burst with flavor then fade off, like watching a fireworks display. This one achieves a stunning balance between acidity and body that causes the flavors to linger. It’s a rare flavor profile, and one that I jam on! It also makes it easier to pair with yummy foods.
Food pairings
I found this on Simply So Healthy: Sauteed Fish with Mustard Tarragon Cream Sauce.
Any dish involving seafood and tarragon is perfect for this wine. It can not only handle intense herbs like tarragon (or cilantro) but it kinda BEGS for the challenge. Throw a bit of mustard and cream in there and you have a perfect evening.
Final thoughts
Txakoli has become popular enough that most good wine shops will carry three or four selections during the summertime. That has also meant a race to be cheaper than the competition has begun, which lowers quality. It’s the same rat race that lowered the standards on Pinot Grigio about twenty years ago.
A wine like this supports a family, who farm a scant 16 acre hillside farm, make the wine themselves, and sell a bit of it to the other side of the globe. It’s delicious and worth every penny!
Thank you!
Jason Kallsen
Sommelier and founder/owner of Twin Cities Wine Education
Offer and special pricing are available through Monday, or as inventory lasts