Bodegas Berroja 2020 'Berroia' Txakolí de Bizkaia DO

Vineyard Notes: The vineyards are located in the "Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve" in Muxica, within the Txakolina Bizkaiko DO by Spain's Bay of Biscay, 20 miles east of Bilbao. These vineyards are quite steep and the soils drain well while giving the vines very good exposure to the sunlight. Berroia Txakoli is a rare gem: a fuller-bodied example hailing from the lesser-known DO Bizkaiko Txakolina­. A savory, elegant expression of this maritime terroir, this is a still wine with no effervescence. While delicious young, Berroia can age beautifully up to a decade or more.

Winemaking Notes: After the grapes are harvested during early morning hours in small boxes, the best clusters are selected and are macerated for 48 hours. Extended fermentation is carried out at cool temperature for 25 days to extract the richness of aroma and palate flavor contained in the lees. The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks to retain its crisp fruit character and shows off the terroir.

Tasting Notes: Bright, green-hued straw. Spicy and focused on the nose, displaying fresh citrus and orchard fruit aromas and hints of honey and jasmine. Juicy and seamless in texture, offering juicy pear and tangerine flavors that tighten up on the back half. Finishes with very good persistence, leaving behind mineral and honeysuckle notes. - Josh Raynolds.

Pairing Suggestions: Comparable to other iconic European white wines in its weight and acidity (like Grüner Veltliner and Muscadet), Berroia is a versatile wine that pairs well with difficult foods – artichokes and asparagus included! The salinity in this wine finds it locally paired with briny seafood dishes such as anchovies and oysters. Berroia also handles food with spicy heat, well.