Twenty years ago, Txakolina was largely unknown in the United States. But it has become increasingly popular, and nowadays is not at all hard to find, especially when the weather turns warm.
This month let’s try Txakolina (pronounced chock-oh-LEE-nah), or more specifically, Getariako Txakolina, the largest Txakolina appellation centered around the town of Getaria, which not coincidentally is where I had that memorable lunch.
The three bottles I recommend are:
Antxiola Getariako Txakolina 2020 (Polaner Selections, Mount Kisco, N.Y.) $19
Ulacia Getariako Txakolina 2019 (Europvin U.S.A., Van Nuys, Calif.) $20
Ameztoi Getariako Txakolina 2020 (De Maison Selections, Chapel Hill, N.C.) $22
The Getariako Txakolinas, as I said, are usually slightly effervescent, but those from the other appellations, Bizkaiko Txakolina and Arabako Txakolina, are not necessarily so. Also, some rosé Txakolinas have become popular in the United States. Red Txakolina exists too, but it’s pretty rare. These three are all white, but if you can only find a rosé, no worries.
If you can’t find any of these bottles, I also recommend Rezabal, Berroja Berroia (a Bizkaiko Txakolina), Txomin, Doniene Gorrondona (also Bizkaiko Txakolina), Xarmant (Arabako Txakolina), Bengoetxe and Roca Altxerri. Look for the latest vintage you can find as, in my experience, the fresher the better.
