Artomana Txakolina 'Xarmant' Txakoli 2022
The Wine
This estate wine is a blend of varieties dominated by Hondarrabi Zuri (70%) with equal parts of Izkiriota, Izkiriota Ttippia and Hondarrabi Zuri Zerratia. The parcels are hand-picked separately and left to cold soak for 24 hours at 10 degrees. This increases both volume and aromatic complexity in the final wine. The wines ferment spontaneously with vineyard yeasts and spend four months on lees in stainless steel before bottling.
Instant Txakoli on the nose! 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.
“Xarmant” means charming in Basque country, and there’s no better word to describe this light and lively white. It has an array of fruit flavors that should appeal to any and all.'' Bill Ward, Star Tribune (USA) (Previous Vintage Review)
The Details
Variety - Hondarrabi Zuri, Izkiriota, Izkiriota, Ttippia, Hondarrabi, Zuri Zerratia.
Country - Spain
Region - Txakolina
Sub Region - Artomaña
Extra - Screwcap
Year - 2022
Volume - 750ml
About the Wine Maker
Situated in the quaint Basque herrixka (village) of Artomaña on the banks of its eponymous river are the family vineyards and winery of Artomaña Txakolina. The estate is a forty-minute drive south of Bilbao in the Arabako Txakolina DO, which is the warmest and further 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 limestone-rich Sierra Salvada casts an intimidating figure across the landscape giving protection from the harsh Atlantic winds while providing irrigation via the local rivers that are born at its peaks.
The first wines of the region were produced in 1988 when Eugenio Alava Ugarte set out to recover the tradition of wine production in the region. Now the Alava brothers focus on making wines that respect the traditions of the region, while reflecting the unique terroir that surrounds them.
