Winephabet Street: H is for Hondarrabi Zuri

Uncork Your Mind

Have you heard of the Txakoli region of Spain and/or the Hondarrabi Zuri grape? First let me tell you how these words are pronounced.

Txakoli is pronounced chah-kuh-lee and Hondarrabi Zuri is pronounced ohn-dah-rah-bee Zoo-Ree.

Our January episode of Winephabet Street we explored the Txakoli region of Spain and the Hondarrabi Zuri grape with special guest Rick Fisher, Spanish Programs Director at the Wine scholar Guild.

Winephabet Street is a monthly series where Lori Budd of Draceana Wines and I work our way through the alphabet exploring wine and wine regions one letter at a time. The show is live on the third Monday at 8pm (but does change depending on our schedules) and is free, but you must register to attend. Put it on your calendar, pour yourself a glass of wine and hang out with us. It is sponsored by Dracaena Wines and Trio North Wildwood.

Txakoli is a unique wine-growing region located in the Basque Country along the northern coast of Spain. The region is known for producing a distinctive and refreshing white wine made from the Hondarrabi Zuri grape.

The Hondarrabi Zuri grape is an indigenous variety that is well adapted to the cool and damp climate of the Txakoli region. The grape produces crisp and zesty wines that are high in acidity and low in alcohol.

The Txakoli wine-making process is also unique, as the wine is often bottled before it has completed fermentation. This results in a naturally carbonated wine that has a lively and effervescent character. The wine is traditionally poured from a height into glasses to create a frothy head and enhance its flavor and aroma. Rick demonstrates this during the webinar.

In recent years, Txakoli and the Hondarrabi Zuri grape have gained international recognition and become increasingly popular with wine lovers. Despite this popularity, the Txakoli region remains small and traditional, with many vineyards using sustainable and organic methods of production.

On this webinar, I was sipping on Zudugarai Bodegas Txakoli Malda from the Getariako Txakolina D.O. Made with 100% Hondarrabi Zuri grapes. Aged for only a few months on fine lees prior to bottling.

Tasting Notes: lots of green apple, lime zest, salinity, crisp, high acid and a minerality finish.