Hiruzta Bodega was our last wine country outing in Basque Country's Txakoli wine region. Basque Country (País Vasco, or Euskadi), in Northeast Spain, is not only known for its own culture and language, but also its rich wine making tradition. Moreover, this region is renowned for its innovative gastronomy and striking landscapes. This post will highlight our wine and food experience at Hiruzta Bodega, in the Txakoli Getaria (or Getariako Txakolina) appellation.
Food & Wine Time, Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
Celebrating Wine and Food, Hiruzta Bodega © SpaswinefoodHiruzta Bodega: Txakoli at its Best
Hiruzta Bodega showcased excellence in Txakoli (Chacolí in Spanish, pronounced: chak-ko-lee) wines. Last May I joined WineMine friends from Portugal for a SweetEasy wine tour of this beautiful wine region. Txakoli (chak-ko-lee) is most commonly produced as a light, fruity and acid-driven, slightly sparkling dry white wine. This wine is produced in white, rose, sparkling, and late harvest styles. It has been described by some as a unique zippy wine. I am inclined to agree.
Txakoli Vineyard, Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
Before sharing our Hiruzta Bodega gastronomic experience I will briefly review Txakoli appellations.
Txakoli Wines of Basque Country
Basque Country's wine region is at the border between Spain and France. Txakoli wine making dates back hundreds of years, and has a long tradition of being produced from the indigenous grape varieties: Hondarrabi Zuri, Hondarrabi Zuri Zerratia, and Izkiriota. There are three Txakoli appellations, one in each of the three Basque provinces.
- Txakoli Getaria (or Getariako Txakolina) was the first to gain recognition as a DO in 1989. Txakoli Getaria is a coastal region between Getaria and San Sebastian, and is the largest of the three. Getariako Txakolina, a wine-growing area around the Getaria and Zarautz in the province of Gipuzkoa
- Txakoli Bizkaia (Bizkailo Txakolina) DO was established in 1994. It is located further north-west, also on the coast, and the wines here are typically more minerally and slightly more acidic.
- The third and smallest sub-region, Txakoli Álava (Arabako Txakolina), the youngest DO was founded in 2001, is located inland, south of Bilbao in the Ayala Valley, approaching the Rioja Alavesa sub-region.
During my Basque Country travels I was introduced to a variety of Txakoli wines. Given I had heard so much about the Basque wine region I looked forward to exploring Txakoli Wine Country. Our Bodega stops included Txomin Etxaniz, Talai Berri, with our last winery stop at Hiruzka Bodegas for a a food and wine pairing, followed by a visit to nearby Hondarribia for lunch.
Budding Txakoli Vines, May 2023 © Spaswinefood
Celebrating Wine and Food at Hiruzka Bodega
Our last winery stop in Basque Country was at Hiruzka Bodega. Hiruzta Bodega was established in 2012 by the Rekalde Family (a father and his two sons). Its name comes from a loose translation of a three-person harvest, and the owners passion for this project. Hiruzta Bodega wines have won multiple international awards.
Welcome to Hiruzka Bodega © Spaswinefood
Here we did a wine and food pairing.
WineMine, Hiruzka Bodega © Spaswinefood
Cheese Platers, Hiruzka Bodega © Spaswinefood
In addition to the cheese platters there were platters of Olives and Peppers, Cauliflower dishes, and more. All paired with wines.
Peppers & Olives with Fish, Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
Peppers & Olives with Fish, Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
Peppers & Olives with Fish, Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
Then of course the vegetarian version without the fish was my option.
Peppers & Olives, Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
A cauliflower dish, regular and vegetarian options, was another delightfully appetizing dish.
Cauliflower Dish with Fish, Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
Cauliflower Dish with Fish, Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
Cauliflower Dish, Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
The first dishes were paired with white wines. Now let's take a look at the wines.
1. Hiruzta, Hondarrabi Zuri, Getariako Txakolina DO
Hiruzta, Hondarrabi Zuri, Getariako Txakolina DO ©Spaswinefood
A Txakoli wine made from the Hondarrabi Zuri grape.
2. Hiruzta Berezia, Hondarrabi Zuri Getariako Txakolina DO
Hiruzta Berezia, Hondarrabi Zuri , Getariako Txakolina DO © Spaswinefood
Hiruzta Berezia, Hondarrabi Zuri, Getariako Txakolina DO © Spaswinefood
Hiruzta Berezia, Hondarrabi Zuri in the Glass © Spaswinefood
Hiruzta Berezia is a contemporary-style Txakoli wine made from the Hondarrabi Zuri grape.
Of course there was a rosé wine.
3. Hiruzta Txakoli Rosé
Hiruzta Txakoli Rosé © Spaswinefood
Their rosé Txakoli wine is produced from Hondarrabi Beltza and Hondarrabi Zuri grapes.
This rosé wine was paired with white asparagus.
White Asparagus Hiruzta Bodega, Getariako Txakolina DO 2021 © Spaswinefood
White Asparagus, Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
Meat Plate, Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
Sardines, Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
There was also a potato plate.
Potato with Cheese, Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
Overall there were lots of appetizing plates to sample with the wines.
Food & Wine Time, Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
It was a most delightful experience with food and wine.
Other wines poured during the tasting included:
4. Hiruzta, Parcela No. 3 Limited Ed 252/900, Getariako Txakolina DO2020
Hondarrabi Zuri-Hondarrabi, Limited Ed 252/900, Getariako Txakolina DO2020 © Spaswinefood
PARCELA No 3 is a vintage txakoli wine produced in limited edition. It is aged on the lees for 12 months.
Hiruzta, Basque Brut Nature Methode Traditionelle © Spaswinefood
Hiruzta, Basque Brut Nature Methode Traditionelle © Spaswinefood
This sparkling wine is produced from Hondarrabi Zuri and Hondarrabi grapes.
Hiruzta, Brut Nature in the Glass © Spaswinefood
The wines at Hiruzta not only included white, rosé and sparkling wines. Of course there was a red wine too. The red wine is produced from Hondarrabi Beltza and Hondarrabi grapes.
6. Hiruzta, Parcela 1.7 Txakoli Tinto (Red Wine), Getariako Txakolina DO 2021
Hiruzta, Parcela 1.7 Txakoli Tinto (Red Wine), Getariako Txakolina DO 2021 © Spaswinefood
Hiruzta, Parcela 1.7 Txakoli Tinto (Red Wine), Getariako Txakolina DO 2021 © Spaswinefood
This wine is a modern style of red Txakoli produced from Beltza grapes.
I would highly recommend doing a wine and food pairing at Hiruzka Bodega.
More on Hiruzka Bodega
Before this food and wine event we explored the vineyard and winery.
Vineyard at Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
Hiruzta Bodega Vineyard © Spaswinefood
As we toured the vineyard I took a closeup look at the vines.
Budding Txakoli Vines, Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
Springtime Vineyard, Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
Budding Txakoli Vines, Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
From the vineyard it was onto learning about the winery.
Tank Room, Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
Yes, we even managed to do lunch in nearby Hondarribia (Fuenterrabía in Spanish), a colorful fishing village that is both rich in architecture and gastronomy.
Harbor at Hondarribia © Spaswinefood
Hondarribia is quite close to the border of France. In fact it is just across the harbor in the above photo.
While in Hondarribia, there was opportunity for more gastronomic explorations.
Lunch, Hondarribia © Spaswinefood
In recent years, Hondarribia has seen a boom in its culinary scene. Young chefs who, after studying under the likes of Martín Berasategui and Pedro Subijana, have set up shop there. The quality of the new gastronomy scene is right up there with San Sebastian. When your wine travels take you to San Sebastián and Hondarribia then you know you are in for a special treat.
Exploring Hondarribia © Spaswinefood
Stunning Architecture, Hondarribia © Spaswinefood
For sure exploring Txakoli wines at Basque Country's Hiruzta Bodega is is an absolute must. It is ideal for celebrating wine with food. In fact Hiruzta Bodega food and wine pairings was a highlight of my wine travels in Basque Country. If time permits after a visit to Hiruzta Bodega I would highly recommend a visit to nearby Hondarribia to checkout its gastronomic scene, and its architecture. I invite you to join me in my wine travels in Spain and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook. I so look forward to more vine-filled explorations in Spain.
CHEERS!
Sharon
May 2023
San Sabastian, Spain
© Spaswinefood
Inviting Hiruzta Bodega © Spaswinefood
Basque Country Travels with WineMine Friends © Spaswinefood
Given that it rained during most of my visit I am so glad that when I arrived in Basque Country it was a sunny day. I managed to take a few photos of the Cantabrian Sea along the flight path to the airport.
Arriving in Basque Country © Spaswinefood
Approach to San Sebastián Airport © Spaswinefood
#spaswinefood travels in Txakoli wine country
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