Basque to basics.

This week I had a fascinating trip to The Basque Country and Rioja. This included a visit to The Txakoli Oxinbaltza winery in the Basque Country, just 30kms from Bilbao. To explain, Txakoli is a special type of wine that is typical of the Basque Country and as you can see from the picture, vines are grown on very steep slopes.We tasted some excellent 2010 whites, including Txakoli Katan, made from the indigenous varietal Hondarrabi Zuri, which is creamy, refreshing and backed by crisp acidity. The winery is also producing an intriguing sur lie called Txakoli Maiora.These wines will be released in February 2011 and hopefully will be available through a UK importer.Other Txakoli wines are available from Hanging Ditch Wines and Villeneuve Wines.
Another highlight of the trip was Marques De Riscal, one of the oldest bodegas in Rioja, and a nice balance of traditional and new. Adjacent to the winery, is the funky Frank Gehry designed Hotel Marques de Riscal at a few hundred Euros a night or alternatively stay at Hotel Villa de Laguardia. Keeping with the design theme, and only a short drive from Riscal, is the much photographed Ysios bodega designed by Santiago Calatrava, which is one of the world’s most stunning wineries.Riscal and Ysios aren’t just an architectural story.
White Wines
Polus 2009, Rioja, Loli Casado. Not currently imported.
100% Viura isn’t always this interesting or weighty. Soft, buttery nose, rounded, nutty,medium bodied with good texture. Easy drinking. Look out for Loli Casado.
Marques de Riscal 2009, Rueda, £6.99. Sainsbury’s.
Not from Rioja, but Rueda, and Riscal have produced a crisp, refreshing, light, aperitif white. Ultra consistent.
Red Wines
Muriel Reserva 2004, Rioja, £7.99. Coop.
Bodegas Muriel is one of the key producers in Rioja Alavesa. Their 2004 is medium bodied, with chocolate, dark fruit flavours and spice. Well priced, enjoyable style.
Marques de Riscal Reserva 2005, Rioja, £13.99. Majestic.
From this 10 out 10 vintage, medium bodied, concentrated fruit character of damsons, blackcurrants, backed by vanilla, with some tannic grip. Decant.
Ysios Reserva 2005, Rioja, £15.99. Waitrose.
Modern building and contemporary style of Rioja. Velvety, medium to full bodied 100%Tempranillo,French oak influenced red. Lamb and Tempranillo work. Decant.