Txakolina (chock-oh-LEE-nah) is typically a mildly effervescent white wine with crisp acidity and vibrancy made with the Hondarrabi Zuri grape from Basque country in Spain. Think of it as Spain’s answer to Portugal’s Vinho Verde. Many wine lovers flock to Txakoli wines on hot summer days for their fresh style, relatively low alcohol, and crisp acidity. However, this 2022 Ameztoi "Stimatum" is not that. This is the much harder-to-find Honarrabi Beltza, a red Txakoli wine bursting with aromas and flavors of pepper, clove, redcurrant, strawberry, and cranberry. It holds good acidity and a little spritz, giving this a surprisingly full mouthfeel for a wine with just 12 percent alcohol by volume. Enjoy this during the dog days of summer, and serve it very chilled.
Ameztoi, Pais Vasco (Basque Country, Spain) Hondarrabi Beltza 2022
By Miranda Franco