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 |
 Apple |
 Apple |
 Salt |
Citrus and Apple are typical Txakoli flavors.
With "Chalky" and "Salty" Minerals.
Profile
Txakoli is very dry with a razor-sharp acidity:
| SUGAR | Dry | ||
| BODY | Light | ||
| FRUIT | Low | ||
| ACIDITY | Medium - High | ||
| |||
Food Pairing
 Aperitif |
 Tapas |
 Chips |
 Tomato |
 Oysters |
 Shrimps |
 Seafood |
 Fish |
 Sushi |
 Egg |
 Chicken |
 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.
If You Like Txakoli
You Will Also Like:
| Arinto (Portugal) |
| Chablis (France) |
| Chardonnay (Unoaked) |
| Bourgogne Blanc (France) |
| Muscadet (France) |
| Pinot Grigio (Italy) |
| Txakoli (Spain) |
| Vinho Verde (Portugal) |
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 Origen | In Spanish | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Txakoli de Álava | Chacolí de Álava | 1989 |
| Txakoli de Getaria | Chacolí de Guetaria | 1990 |
| Txakoli de Bizkaiko | Chacolí de Vizcaya | 1994 |
The Ideal Glass
A Tulip Shaped glass is the best choice for dry white wines.
It guides the wine to the center of your mouth, avoiding the sides, where acidity is less pleasant.
A smaller bowl also helps to serve smaller quantities, and keep the wine cold.
Remember to hold the glass by the stem!