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Best Basque Wine Types
Rioja was the first Spanish appellation that received protected status. This renowned Spanish region is located in the north of the country, on both sides of the river Ebro. It is best known for its red varietals and blends, and while Tempranillo is the dominant grape, blending varieties include Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo, and Maturana varieties.
Some amount of rosés and whites are also produced. The region is vast, and it is divided into three subregions: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental. Aging guidelines categorize it under the generic label with no aging requirements (also known as Joven), Crianza (aged for two years), Reserva (at least three years of age), and Gran Reserva (five years of age and a minimum of two years in a barrel).
VARIATIONS OF Rioja
THE BEST Rioja Wine Appellations
El Coto de Rioja
El Duque de Miralta Rioja Reserva
International Wine Challenge - IWC Great Value Champion Red 2020 2020
Txakoli is a light and fresh, clean-tasting, slightly sparkling, and usually white Spanish wine that is mainly produced in the Basque Country, more precisely in the wine regions Getariako, Bizkaiko, and Alava. The wines are typically made from Hondarrabi Zuri grapes, and although regional expressions may slightly differ, Txakoli wines are low in alcohol and high in acidity, while they usually display crisp fruity notes reminiscent of apples and citrus.
The wines are best enjoyed chilled, and they are traditionally poured from a height, either from the bottle or the pitcher known as porrón, to leave the tiny bubbles intact. Because they are a perfect match to cured meat, seafood, olives, and local cheese, Txakoli wines are a staple at pintxos (tapas) bars throughout Basque.
VARIATIONS OF Txakoli
THE BEST Txakoli Wine Appellations
Rioja Alavesa is one of the sub-regions of the famed Rioja appellation. Situated between the River Ebro and the Cantabria mountain range, it is the smallest and the northernmost region of Rioja. Tempranillo is the primary grape variety, with some amount of Graciano, Garnacha, and Mazuelo.
Alavesa wines are considered of exceptional quality and are often compared to those of Rioja Alta. Unique soil composition (mostly calcareous clay) and high elevation of the vineyards influence the final character of these wines. They usually have a distinctive fruity profile, good acidity, and excellent aging potential.
Getariako Txakolina is a Spanish appellation from Basque Country (Gipuzkoa) that produces white Txakoli wines—crisp white wines that the entire Basque region is famous for. The wines are low in alcohol and typically lightly bubbly.
Most are made from the native Hondarrabi Zuri grapes. Getariako Txakolina is one of the three Txakoli appellations. The examples coming from this region usually have brighter acidity. They will also mostly have a mineral, saline note, because of the vicinity to the Cantabrian sea (Bay of Biscay).
These wines have low alcohol content, around 10%.
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Best Basque Wine Producers
Altos de Rioja Winegrowers and Winemakers was born from the union and friendship of three winemakers and viticulturists with different origins, professional men of the vineyard and wine with long experience with a common passion: making high quality wines .
All wines are made with selected grapes from vineyards in the upper part of Rioja Alavesa , which we make respecting traditional methods, applying the latest knowledge and taking care of both the vineyard and the environment we have inherited to leave a healthy environment for future generations.
AWARDS
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2024, 2023, 2022
Asia Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2021
Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2020
BEST Altos de Rioja Wines
El Coto de Rioja was founded in 1970. In these more than 50 years, our wines have become the favorites of Spanish consumers and in all the categories we produce: white, rosé, crianza and reserva. El Coto de Rioja is a brand that has known how to evolve, adapt to new times and think about the future, but without losing its identity.
We have been wine specialists for more than fifty years.
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold
2019
International Wine Challenge - IWC Great Value Champion Red 2020
2020
International Wine Challenge - IWC Great Value Champion Red 2015
2015
BEST El Coto de Rioja Wines
AWARDS
Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2020, 2017
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold
2019
Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum
2023
BEST Bodegas Faustino Wines
,Artadi is a renowned Spanish winery located in Laguardia, within the Álava province of the Basque Country. Established in 1985 as a cooperative of 13 local vine growers, it has evolved under the leadership of Juan Carlos López de Lacalle, who took control in 1992.
The winery is celebrated for its commitment to producing terroir-driven wines, emphasizing single-vineyard expressions primarily from the Tempranillo grape. Artadi's vineyards span approximately 80 hectares, planted on diverse clay and limestone soils, and are managed using organic and sustainable viticultural practices.
AWARDS
James Suckling - 99 points
2024
Falstaff - 99
BEST Bodegas y Viñedos Artadi Wines
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2019
BEST Bodegas Casa Primicia SA Wines
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2022
BEST Grupo Solar de Samaniego Wines
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Best Basque Wines
This wine comes from a selection of very special vineyards with a significant personality, in the Pisón area. The grapes are destemmed and cold-macerated for 4 days before starting alcoholic fermentation. This takes place at a temperature of around 30ºC for 10 days.
Afterwards, it is macerated for another 16 days.
AWARDS
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2023, 2022
AWARDS
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2024
Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2020
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2017
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2018
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2018
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2023
Asda Extra Special El Mesón Gran Reserva is a Spanish red wine, crafted in the Rioja region, renowned for its traditional winemaking techniques. This Gran Reserva wine, one of the highest classifications in Rioja, is aged for an extended period, with at least two years in oak barrels and three years in the bottle before release.
This aging process enhances its flavor profile, leading to a smooth, full-bodied wine with complex notes.
AWARDS
International Wine Challenge - IWC Great Value Champion Red 2015
2015
A smooth, velvety red with flavours of dark cherry, liquorice, vanilla and spice. Perfect with roast lamb. Rioja, Spain's most famous red wine region, is situated in the north, along River Ebro valley and protected by the Sierra Cantabria mountain range.
Winemaker Cesar Fernández sources the finest Tempranillo grapes from the 3 subregions, Alta, Baja and Alavesa to make this ageworthy Reserva.
AWARDS
International Wine Challenge - IWC Great Value Champion Red 2020
2020
AWARDS
Falstaff - 99
AWARDS
Falstaff - 99
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