Txakolina! (Chock-oh-LEE-nah)
By Gina Trippi
Nothing says summer like Txakolina. What? First of all, Txakolina is pronounced like this (chock-oh-LEE-nah).
Eric Asimov, wine critic for the New York Times, recently recommended Ameztoi Getariako Txakolina 2020 imported by De Maison Selections in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Once largely unknown in the United States, Txakolina has become increasingly popular “when the weather turns warm,” Asimov says.
Txakolina, despite the trend, is still not everywhere. 80% of Txakolina is consumed in Spain; but thanks to our local North Carolina importer, we have Ameztoi Txakolina at Metro Wines!
Txakolina is a mildly effervescent, one of a kind, wine from Basque Country in Spain. But a bottle of Txakolina is more than just a very unique wine, it is the continuation of a centuries old tradition.
The Basque Country is located in the western Pyrenees straddling the border between France and Spain on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, thought to be inhabited since the 16th century.
A respected producer, Ameztoi farms twenty acres of high altitude clay calcareous and limestone vineyards on the seaside cliffs of the ancient fishing village of Getaria. Ignacio Ametztoi is the fifth generation of his family to carry on the tradition of making Txakolina from their old vines dating from 1860 to 2008.
The Ameztoi style is high acidity and about 11% alcohol, salty and briny, notes with a natural fizz using only the native varietal of hondarrabi zuri. Fermented in closed, stainless steel tanks, only indigenous yeasts from the vineyard are used and natural carbonation is preserved.
To heighten your experience, try drinking Txakolina from the traditional porron! The exact origin of the porron is not certain but it most likely started in Catalonia and has been part of the Spanish wine culture for centuries.
To drink from the porron, tilt your head back, hold the porron high above your head and pour the magic elixir into your mouth without touching the spout. The idea here was to foster communal drinking.
What pairs with Txakolina? Martha Stewart says this perfect summer wine is the perfect match for seafood, especially with a Spanish touch. Ameztoi Txakolina has been described as a lightning bolt hitting the palate. Make your summer sparkle.
