Txakoli / Chacolí (Spain)

Txakoli is a very dry, slightly fizzy, white wine from Spain's Basque Country.

It tastes like a saltier version of Portuguese Vinho Verde.

Typical Flavors


Lemon
Lemon
Apple
Apple
Apple
Apple
Salt
Salt

Citrus and Apple are typical Txakoli flavors.

With "Chalky" and "Salty" Minerals.

Profile

Txakoli is very dry with a razor-sharp acidity:

SUGARDry
BODYLight
FRUITLow
ACIDITYMedium - High
Serving temperature:
8-10°C (46-50°F)
Grand Cru 10-12°C (50-54°F)

Food Pairing


Aperitif
Aperitif
Tapas
Tapas
Chips
Chips
Tomato
Tomato

Oysters
Oysters
Shrimps
Shrimps
Crab
Seafood
Fish
Fish
Sushi
Sushi
Egg
Egg
Chicken
Chicken
Soft Cheese
Soft Cheese

Txakoli pairs best with Seafood, Fried Fish, and Fried Chicken.

It is also a good, low alcohol, summer sipper.

Pairing Suggestions

Excellent Pairing:
Tomato. Salads. Summer food.
Raw Fish. Oysters. Sushi.
Clams. Shrips. Prawns (with Garlic).
Plain Fish. Sea Bass.
Fried Fish. Fish and Chips.
Finger Food. Tapas.
Fried Chicken.

Cheese:
Soft and Hard Cheeses.

Spanishh Specialities:
Snails or Prawns with Garlic.
Burned Goat Cheese.

About

Txakoli is a slightly sparkling, very dry white wine with high acidity and low alcohol, from the provinces of the Basque Country, Cantabria and northern Burgos.

Before 1989, Txakoli was a home-made wine, drunk in the Basque Country. In 1989, some varieties of Txakoli achieve DO (Denominación de Origen) certification:

Denominación de OrigenIn SpanishYear
Txakoli de ÁlavaChacolí de Álava1989
Txakoli de GetariaChacolí de Guetaria1990
Txakoli de BizkaikoChacolí de Vizcaya1994