Xarmant Txakoli

"Grapefruit, green apple, lovage, celery leaf, a waft of hay, white petals, and chalk. The palate is fresh with pear, golden delicious, and herb fleck. Starting soft, with good depth thanks to excellent, controlled phenolic development, the palate freshens on a petillant tickle and a grassy tweak. The twinning of natural acidity and the chalky-limestone soils give the wine a moreish crisp saline-sourness."

Artomaña Txakolina is a forty-minute drive south of Bilbao in the Arabako Txaolina DO, which is the warmest and furthest inland of the three Txakoli regions. Like much of this green and damp part of Spain, the vineyards and valleys are flanked by imposing mountain ranges.

The Alava brothers, sons of founder Eugenio Alava Ugarte focus on making wines that respect the traditions of the region while reflecting the unique terroir that surrounds them. Capping yields, natural yeasts, native varietal blends, and stainless steel vinification are some of the practices they follow to make sure it is the soil and the fruit that do the talking. They are not interested in clouding their wines with oak or muddying their identity with the addition of non-Basque varieties.