Basque country: A top destination for wine and food

When travelers come to Northeast Spain's San Sebastián they know they are in for a special treat. From casual pintxo bars to Michelin starred restaurants, this city in Basque Country (País Vasco, or Euskadi), is all about the celebration of food and wine. It is internationally renown as one of the world’s gastronomic capitals. Culinary visitors are not only attracted by San Sebastián's culinary scene but also, Hondarribia, in recent years, 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.  Not only is Basque Country a top culinary area, known for its own culture and language, but also it has a rich wine making tradition. 

Welcome to Basque Country © Spaswinefood

 Basque Txakoli Wine Region

The beautiful Basque Txakoli wine region is a place with striking landscapes. Of course I came to enjoy Basque Country travels at this top destination for wine and food. Txakoli (Chacolí in Spanish, pronounced: chak-ko-lee) 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. Txakoli wines are most commonly produced as a light, fruity and acid-driven, slightly sparkling dry white wine. This wine is also produced in rose, sparkling, and late harvest styles. It is home to three Txakoli appellations (Txakoli Getaria (Getariako Txakolina) DO established 1989, Txakoli Bizkaia (Bizkailo Txakolina) DO established 1994, and Txakoli Álava (Arabako Txakolina) DO established 2001). There is one appellation in each of the three Basque provinces. 

Txakoli Vineyard, Basque Country © Spaswinefood

Besides being home to Txakoli wines restaurants throughout the region have excellent wine lists, which include wines from other regions.

Here's to Celebrating Wine and Food 

I had come here to celebrate food and wine with friends. 

El Bistro Ondarreta

Shortly after arriving in San Sebastián, it was off to El Bistro Ondarreta for dinner.

Welcome to San Sebastián, El Bistro Ondarreta © Spaswinefood

Our dinner that evening was a celebration with our WineMine group.

Dinner, San Sebastián © Spaswinefood

We enjoyed a most delicious dinner at El Bistro Ondarreta. I was so happy to taste the Spanish wines that Sinisa had brought. He also prepared us for our Txakoli wine adventures, which would start the next morning.

Dinner Wines © Spaswinefood

Since in earlier posts I focused on our winery visits this post is primarily a gastronomic overview.

San Sebastián

After exploring wine country we concluded our first day with lunch in town, followed by a walking tour of historical San Sebastián. 

Rainy Spring Day, San Sebastián © Spaswinefood

By the time we returned to San Sebastián gray clouds filled the sky.

Low Tide, San Sebastián © Spaswinefood

The waterfront scene was captivating even on a gray, rainy day. We managed to arrive back in town at low tide.

Waiting for the Tide, San Sebastián © Spaswinefood

Soon we were off to lunch at Urepel Jatetxea.

Urepel Jatetxea, San Sebastián © Spaswinefood

Escaping inside for lunch at Urepel Jatetxea was a perfect escape from the rain.

Time for Lunch, Urepel Jatetxea © Spaswinefood

For sure lunch at Urepel Jatetxea was delicious and so were the desserts.

Perhaps Dessert, Urepel Jatetxea © Spaswinefood

Dessert Time, Urepel Jatetxea © Spaswinefood

                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Dining in San Sebastián, home to so many Michelin starred restaurants, is foodie heaven. One of my friends gave me a list of recommended restaurants. Seriously, during a three night stay it was impossible to do justice. We did manage to have dinner at Narru located opposite Buen Pastor Cathedral.

Narru, San Sebastián © Spaswinefood

Narru's offers Basque cuisine & pintxos. It has been described as a traditional, market-inspired cuisine.  The emphasis is on high-quality ingredients and presentation.

Of course, it was a good time to try a few wines, and we did.

AT Roca Pedregar, DO Clàssic Penedès 2016

AT Roca Pedregar, DO Clàssic Penedès 2016 © Spaswinefood

This an organic Brut Nature sparkling wine made with Macabeo and Garnacha Tinta varieties from the D.O. Penedès. With food of course it was delicious. We ordered a number of small plates.

Small Plates, Narru © Spaswinefood

Enjoying Wine at Narru, San Sebastián © Spaswinefood

Pintia DO Toro 2018

Pintia DO Toro 2018 © Spaswinefood

Both of these wines were excellent.

How could one resist dessert!

Chocolate at its Best, Narru, San Sebastián © Spaswinefood

Reservations are necessary for dinner, and highly recommended for lunch, especially if you want to sit in the restaurant section downstairs.

After exploring wineries in this region one of the highlights was 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 © Spaswinefood

 I would highly recommend a wine and food pairing at Hiruzka Bodega.

Yes, we managed to do lunch in 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 French border. In fact it is just across the harbor in the above photo.

While in Hondarribia, there was opportunity for another gastronomic exploration. In recent years, it has seen a boom in its culinary scene. As I have already noted, young chefs who, after studying under the likes of Martín Berasategui and Pedro Subijana, have set up shop in Hondarribia. The quality of the new gastronomy scene is right up there with San Sebastian. I am so glad to have visited.

Lunch, Hondarribia © Spaswinefood

The plates served during lunch included:

Veggie Plate, Hondarribia © Spaswinefood

Meat Plate, Hondarribia © Spaswinefood

Fish Plate, Hondarribia © Spaswinefood

After lunch we toured Hondarribia on our own. Its architecture is very captivating to explore. 

Exploring Hondarribia © Spaswinefood

Stunning Architecture, Hondarribia © Spaswinefood

I would highly recommend a visit to Hondarribia to checkout its gastronomy and its architecture. 

Given that it rained during my May visit I would like to note 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.

Approach to San Sebastián Airport, Cantabrian Sea © Spaswinefood

Basque Country is undoubtedly a top destination for wine and food. 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 am so looking forward to sharing more on my recent vine-filled explorations in Spain. 

CHEERS!

Sharon 

May 2023

San Sabastian, Spain 

© Spaswinefood

Basque Country Travels with WineMine Friends © Spaswinefood

#spaswinefood travels in Txakoli Wine Country