Name: 2004 Txomin Etxaniz Txakoli
Grape: Hondarribi Zuri
Region: Basque Region, Spain
Price: $18.00
In honor of Spain, where Sara Kate will be visiting in a few weeks, I’ve decided to write about a delicious wine from a relatively unknown area of Spain’s Basque region. The region of Txakoli is a matter of pride for Basque farmers. Not only is theirs one of the smallest regions in Spain, they also suffer from nearly impossible weather for grapes and, to top it all off, their vineyards have been completely destroyed by pests on more than one occasion. With tenacity, the Spanish growers continue to produce this little gem.
Txakoli, Chacoli or Txakolina, depending upon the dialect, is made from the grape Hondarribi Zuri. Don’t let these complicated names fool you; this is not a very serious wine. In fact, it is traditionally served in tumblers, not wine glasses. This light bodied white wine should be slightly sparkling, low in alcohol and high in acidity. Its chameleon-like approach is the perfect food pairing for a plate of Tapas, as it will go with just about anything. The 2004 Txomin Etxaniz Txakoli is a fine example of this simple and refreshing style and it's available throughout the city.
If you can't find this particular bottle (I spied a different one at Appellation Wines and Spirits that looked yummy), try another and tell us about it.
Stores: Astor Wines and Sprits $18.00 (399 Lafayette at East 4th Street) and Smith and Vine $17.99 (246 Smith Street between Degraw and Douglass, Brooklyn)
oh my god i LOVE this wine!!!
one of my fave spots in the East Village serves this very one with a special spout that helps bring out the bubbles
its poured into tumblers from really high up
its SO lovely on a warm spring evening!!
great pick Jenny!
YUM! We brought this to a dinner party last night and it was enjoyed by all. DELICIOUS! Loved how tart it was, perfect for spring.
rah rah! I LOVE txakolina! and now i know how to spell it!
awesome choice. there is a very low key basque place on the corner of spring and greenwich (or washington?? ) that served me my first sip... thanks jenny!
I took this to a wine party last weekend, and it was wonderful. Very crisp, citrusy. The guy at the store said it was perfect for seafood, and it certainly was.
Txakoli
a very nice summer wine
just had it at Brooklyn Fish Camp
not this particular bottle
the staff was very pleased to pronounce
"cha KOLEE"
but the guy told me it was from Australia . . . silly
It was definitely a little green, almost akin to an unripe apple. Which, as twisted as that sounds, I actually kind of like especially with seafood. My feeling is that this wine would go great with so fresh off the boat scallops, raw oysters, or clams. Though the wine needs food.
-Kevin Bersofsky
This is my favorite wine of all time!!! If you are in the bay area...there is a beautiful restaurant in San Francisco Le Colonnial(a french/vietnamese bistro) that has this exact bottle and a restaurant in Berkeley The Unicorn (a pan-asian experience) that carries a Txokolina. My bestfriend and I split a bottle at dinner and each buy one for ourselves.