 Focus on Bizkaia
So you thought you couldn’t find enough Txakolina? We learned the hard way that we couldn't find enough either. After selling our entire allocation of Ameztoi 2006 by the end of March, we realized we had a problem.
In a passing conversation, Ignacio from Ameztoi mentioned that he was making a wine for a friend of his in Bizkaia and that if we were interested we could import some. I told him we were pretty set since we already had two wines from the Bizkaiko Txakolina D.O.
As I began to reflect on this and the orders continued coming in for Ignacio’s wine, I thought that maybe we did need another wine with Ignacio’s signature. We tasted the wine and were taken by its delightful nature. In addition, it came from a totally different subzone and a third of the grapes in this wine are the local red grape variety Hondarribi Beltza.
Today we find ourselves offering you three different Txakolinas from Bizkaia. All three of these wines are unique and distinct. Txakolina as a viticultural area is fascinating in that it continues to challenge our expectations. In the beginning, we sought the wines out for their freshness. Today the wines continue to deliver freshness but with added complexity that the different subzones bring to the table. Add to this the fact that there are different philosophies at play at these wineries and you get three distinct visions of this fantastically captivating area.
Uriondo (Zaratamo)
The first Txakolina we ever brought in and still one of my favorites. Made by a philosopher/poet/mayor Roberto Ibarretxe, the wine is delicate and airy; feeling like a Haiku, it delivers a punch line that causes one to marvel at its simplicity. 200 little cases are making it to our shores.
Doniene (Bakio)
We spoke of this wine and its reclusive older brother (Gorrondona Tinto) last month. This wine is built to last, much more muscular and structured with obvious mineral and lime notes. It is very similar to a Jurançon in style. There are 150 cases available.
Gurrutxaga (Mendexa)
Here it is, our newest offering. A brand new wine produced from a site on the border with the Getariako D.O. Crafted from an unusual blend of Hondarribi Zuri, Mune Mahatsa and Hondarribi Beltza, it shows a crazy white gold color with aromas of melons, kiwis and apples. Rich and quite lengthy on the palate, it has a mineral tone with a light and spritz-y quality, due to Ignacio’s hand. 150 cases are available.
Also New...
Chéreau Carré in Wine Spectator
Best Value
86 Points
Chéreau Carré
Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie de la Chesnaie 2006
This is plump and forward, with notes of lemon verbena, grapefruit and honeysuckle. Drink now. 15,000 cases made. -J.M., Wine Spectator (July 31, 2007)
Summer Whites are In the Press
It seems that everyone is hot for the white wines of Spain this summer. Here's a few samples of what the critics have to say.
Wine & Spirits
Critics' Picks
Wolfgang Weber picks Casamaro Blanco 2006 as one of his top values for 2007: "I also keep a bottle of Garciarevalo's 2006 Casamaro Rueda ($10) ready to go in the fridge door. It's clean and refreshing, perfect for a Saturday picnic and a game of Scrabble in San Francisco's Dolores Park." - Wine&Spirits
Wine Spectator
91 Points
Adegas A Coroa
Godello 2005
Valdeorras
$20
Muscular, full-bodied and assertive, with almond, anise, pear and smoke flavors and firm tannins. Austere but balanced and deep, this distinctive white is perfect for rich fish dishes. Drink now through 2009. –T.M., Wine Spectator (June 15, 2007)
Departures
The Drink: Move Over Rosé
Wines from Spain's north-west region of Galicia - now the country's leading producer of whites - are poised to be this summer's fashionable libation. The area's dominat grape, Albariño, produces aromatic and crisp wines that pair easily with food. Do Ferreiro combines the grape's exotic fruit qualities with earthy minerality. - Joanna Sherman, Departures
Links of Interest
>What's New Archive
>André's Report
>André's Travel Blog
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