Located in the absolutely stunning coastal town of Bakio, Doniene Gorrondona produces beautiful wines in the rugged Basque Country of Northern Spain. Using a blend of traditional farming methods and modern winemaking techniques, these wines show the diversity of the varieties Hondarribi Zuri (Zuri=white in the Basque language) and Hondarrbi Beltza (Beltza=red in the Basque language). Relatively unknown out side of Spain, these wines known as txakoli are very fresh, crisp and refreshing that echo the landscape surrounding the vineyards.

With Spanish cuisine, particularly in the Basque country, continuing to establish itself as some of the best food in the world, it’s no wonder why these txakoli wines are also gaining popularity here in the US. With tapas restaurants opening across the country, look for these delicious, unique wines to start appearing more and more on wine lists nationwide. They are wines that pair easily with a myriad of seafood, from fresh oysters and bacalao al pil pil, to gambas ala plancha and txipirones. There really isn’t anything that can come close to sipping on a beautiful txakoli while cruising the streets of San Sebastian and visiting the literally hundreds of tapas spots scattered throughout the city. However, one easy way to place your self back in San Sebastian is to share a bottle txakoli with friends, family and enjoy!

2009 Doniene Gorrondona White Txakoli

Varieties: 100% Hondarrabi Zuri

Color: Brilliant straw color

Nose: Bouquets of fennel and apple with floral notes

Mouth: Fresh citrus fruits, with fresh minerality

Website: www.donienegorrondona.com

Here is a litte history, language and culture lesson for you! This is an old music sheet at the Doniene Gorrondona winery. On the left are the words in Euskara, the Basque language, and Spanish on the right. With a little poetic license, the translation goes as follows;

“Chacolí, Chacolí,

that is good for me,

drinking all together chacolí!

That is the drink,

that will make your heart happy,

a good drink

to clear your grief.”