Don't ask me how to pronounce the wine producer, but I can tell you that the varietal is Txakoli (or I've heard txakolina), and it is pronounced "chocoli", like chocolate. For $16.99 it's an unusual variety in that it is a lightly sparkling off-dry whitewith hints of green apples and a minerality to it.
I've only had one other example of it, but the closest thing I could describe it to is Austrian Gruner Veltliner with its minierality. It's carbonation faintly reminds me of Moscato d'Asti, which is a lightly sparkling Italian dessert wine.
The Basque country predominantly is in north central Spain, and its language does not reflect the Latin roots of neighboring regions. Nonetheless this rare varietal is an interesting treat: I've only found one other txakoli in Chicago and have been told only three labels are sold in Chicago.
Don't worry about the pronounciation: just drink it.
Txomin Etxaniz
Binny's
I am interested in buying a bottle of Chocoli (the Spanish wine) to give as a Christmas present and would like to know from whom I could purchase it. I live in Arlington (northern Virginia) and close to Washington DC. Thank you.
Posted by: Teresa Sala-Rueda | December 09, 2009 at 02:14 PM
TXOMIN ETXANIZ is pronounced CHO meen eh CHA neez (in Basque). I had the 2007 at Mario Batali's Casa Mono with some appetizers and it was near perfection. It is very difficult to find in a winestore. I live near the largest in Tennessee and it is not even on their order list.
Posted by: Steve Bryant | December 26, 2009 at 01:24 PM
don't know if any one reads this anymore but the variety is not txakoli. it's hondarribi zuri and hondarribi beltza. honest.
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