Arabako Txakolina is the youngest Txakolina DO. Founded in 2003, it encompasses 60 hectares. There is only one producer today producing any real quantities. The winery whose name is the same as the denomination, Arabako Txakolina, was founded in 1989. Twelve growers decided to pool their resources and establish the denomination. They created a wine and named it Xarmant -which means “charming” in French (though it is spelled the Basque way). Located in the town of Artamaño, the vineyard lies in the shadows of the town of Vizkaia. This beautiful valley vineyard is located at 500 meters elevation on the border of Castilla y Leon. Here you find a unique climate, on the frontier of oceanic influence and more continental weather. This climate is humid, but the valley is blessed with near constant drying breezes that naturally limit problems in
the vineyard.
The grapes used are the traditional Hondarribi Zuri and Hondarribi Beltza varieties that are indigenous to the Basque region, as well as the less common local varieties of Izkiriota, Izkiriota Ttippia and Hondarribi Zuri Zerratia. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and bottled with a small amount of residual carbonic. Only indigenous yeasts are used so that the grapes reflect the true qualities of the unique soil and site.
Xarmant has a floral nose, with hints of wet stone, which gives way to a crisp palate of apples, pears and sweet berries.
90 points
Xarmant
2010 Txakoli($17)
International Wine Cellar, #158, Sept./Oct. – Josh Raynolds
“Pale gold. Lime zest , flowers and dusty minerals on the nose, plus a hint of fresh ginger. Dusty, very dry citrus fruit and strong mineral flavors are lifted by a spicy element. This very fresh, tightly wound wine finishes with excellent clarity and lingering minerality.”
Varietal/Blend: 70% Hondarribi Zuri and a 30% blend of Hondarribi Beltza, Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng and Petit Courbu
Farming: Sustainable
Fermentation:Fermented in stainless steel
Alcohol: 11.5%
Soil: Gray, chalky clay
Yeast: indigenous
Country: Spain
