Hard to Spell, Easy to Love: Txakolina Season Is Here

The Original Poolside Sippers

As a young somm, I once had a wine director describe the Blanco by Ameztoi as ‘Grown up Sprite’. I giggled at the description—then I tasted the wine, and agreed. The fellow had a college degree in creative writing, and his descriptors were always funny and interesting but on point. Spritzy, lemon lime and mineral, but completely dry with a light spritz, this is all the refreshment of that lemon lime soda with none of the stickiness. And at around or under 11% alcohol, you can drink it like Sprite, too. As for the Rosado? Add a splash of raspberry and strawberry juice, and you’ve got the flavor profile on lockdown.

The season has come for the hard to spell Txakolina from the spellcheck-confusing grapes of Hondarribi Zuri and Beltza. This has been a Gordon’s favorite for many years, and one of mine since well before my time here. How to drink it? Poolside? Check. While working the grill to keep cool? Check. On the back porch with a straw? Check. Poured directly into your mouth from a Porron pitcher? That’s actually the most traditional way—order one online, they’re a lot of fun at parties. Those Basque, they really know how to party.

The market is full of fizzy, low alcohol RTDs that taste fake and are probably full of artificial sweeteners to cover up the artificial flavors. Skip the RTDs this summer, and grab yourself the original, the OG poolside sipper, Txakolina. Blanco or Rosado, or both. Variety is the spice of life! Maybe next year we can get it in cans.