Green Spain: Pais Vasco

Question 1

What is Euskera?

Answer 1

The language of the Basques.

It is linguistically unrelated to any known living language.

Question 2

How long have the Basque people inhabited Pais Vasco?

Answer 2

The Euskadi are believed to have inhabited the area since at least the dawn of the written record.

Question 3

What is Vasconia?

Answer 3

The name of Pais Vasco and surrounding Basque country attributed by the Romans in the 2nd century.
They referred to the tribes as “Vascones.”

Question 4

Who is Sabino Arana?

Answer 4

He was a Basque writer (1865-1903) considered to be the father of Basque nationalism. As an extreme nationalist, his ideology centered around the purity of the Basque race and their so-called supremacy over others. He created the Partido Nacionalista Vasco (PNV), the Basque Nationalist Part, in 1895. He gave all the Basque provinces the name of “Euzkadi”, an helped them build a regional identity. His movement eventually lead to the creation of the ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna), the Basque terrorist group, in 1959.

Question 5

What is the Association of Txaholineros of Bizkaia and why is it important?

Answer 5

A cooperative created in 1980 in an effort to resuscitate wine production. Farmers began replanting vineyards with the intention of preserving txakoli, a wine of local tradition.

Due to the significant increase in quality, the first of 3 DOs was awarded in 1989.

Question 6

Name the 4 Basque provinces in spain.

Answer 6

Pais Vasco consists of 3 of the provinces:
1. Alava (Basque: Araba)
2. Vizcaya (Bizkaia)
3. Guipuzcoa (Gipuzkoa)

4. Navarra counts as the 4th, but it remains independent of the other 3.

Question 7

Where is Pais Vasco located?

Answer 7

This autonomous region is on the northern coast of Spain and flanks the Bay of Biscay. France & Navarra lie to the east, Cantabria & Castilla y Leon to the west, and La Rioja to the south. The southern border also runs along the Ebro River.

Question 8

What is the capitol of Pais Vasco?

Answer 8

This autonomous region has no official capital, but Vitoria-Gasteiz in Alava assumes the role as the Basque government headcourters.

Bilbao is the largest city.

Question 9

What is the climate in Pais Vasco?

Answer 9

Maritime

Northern areas (Vizcaya & Guipuzcoa):
* maritime
* cool & damp
* rainfall year round (47-59in/1,200-1,500mm annually)
* mild winters

Mountainous areas further inland (Alava):
* continental with maritime influences
* colder winters
* warmer summers
* significant diurnal temperature swings
* drier than northern provinces during growing season

Question 10

Name the 3 distinct areas of Pais Vasco.

Answer 10

1. Atlantic Basin
2. Montes Vascos/Basque Mountains
3. Ebro River Basin

Question 11

Where in Pais Vasco is the Atlantic Basin located?

Answer 11

This district is situated along the northern coast and encompasses the majority of the provinces of Vizcaya & Guipuzcoa.
The coastline is made up of valleys with short rivers flowing from the mountains to the Bay of Biscay. There are high cliffs & small estuaries similar to the rias of Galicia.

Question 12

Which district can the majority of txakoli vineyards be found in within Pais Vasco?

Answer 12

Atlantic Basin

Question 13

Where in Pais Vasco is Montes Vasco/Basque Mountains located?

Answer 13

This district consists of a set of parallel mountain ranges which run west to east and comprise the eastern section of the Cordillera Cantabrica.
The mountains reach up to 5,089ft/1,551m and are separated by a high plateau called the Alava Plain.
Rivers here flow south and empty into the Ebro River.

Question 14

Where in Pais Vasco is the Ebro River Basin located?

Answer 14

This district is in the southern part of the Alava province.
It is characteristically continental as are the other Ebro Valley zones.

Question 15

What famous appellation shares the Ebro River Basin district in Pais Vasco?

Answer 15

DOCa Rioja

This area is aptly named Rioja Alavesa.

Question 16

What soil types are found in Pais Vasco?

Answer 16

• Guipuzcoa: sandy topsoil with alluvial clay subsoils
• Vizacaya: shallow, slightly aciditic clay-loam textured topsoil with limestone subsoil
• Alava: alluvial with gravelly clay

The areas within which the DO is located (northern part) is predominantly limestone and rich in organic matter.

Question 17

What is the origin of the name, txakoli?

Answer 17

This name originated from the Basque word “etxakoa”, meaning “made at home.”

Traditionally, the majority of vineyards were small family plots and this wine was made for personal consumption.

Question 18

What is the prominent wine style and grape variety in Pais Vasco?

Answer 18

White wine (95%) mostly made with the Hondarribi Zuri variety.

90% of the DO’s vineyards are planted to this grape.

Question 19

What does “Zuri” mean?

Answer 19

“White” in Basque

Question 20

What are the characteristics of white wines made from Hondarribi Zuri in Pais Vasco?

Answer 20

Crisp, high-acid, pale-yellow with aromas of citrus and white flowers.

Question 21

How is white wine made from Hondarribi Zuri served in Pais Vasco?

Answer 21

Traditionally, this wine is served in small quantities and poured from a height to aerate the wine as it hits the glass.
It is the perfect match for the region’s abundant seafood.

Question 22

Besides Hondarribi Zuri, what other grape varieties can be found in the vineyards of Pais Vasco?

Answer 22

White:
* Hondarribi Zuri Zerratia (Petit Courbu)
* Izkiriota (Gros Manseng)
* Sauvignon Blanc
* Riesling
* Chardonnay

Red:
* Hondarribi Beltza

Question 23

What does “Beltza” mean?

Answer 23

“Black” in Basque

Question 24

Name the only 2 preferred grape variety for the production of txakoli in Pais Vasco.

Answer 24

• Hondarribi Zuri
• Hondarribi Beltza

Question 25

Where do the grape varieties **Hondarribi Zuri** and **Hondarribi Beltza** get their names from?

Answer 25

These **2** unrelated grapes are named for **Hondarribia**, a town in the province of **Guipuzcoa**.

Question 26

What is the wettest area in **Pais Vasco** and all of Spain?

Answer 26

Getaria, in the **Guipuzcoa** province.

Question 27

Where are the majority of vineyards planted in **Pais Vasco**?

Answer 27

* near the coast * on hillsides

Question 28

What vinetraining system is used in **Pais Vasco**?

Answer 28

* ***parral***: improves airflow in this humid & mildew-prone environment (although labor-intensive due to canopy manangement and hand-harvesting) * ***espaldera***: some producers have switched to this modern system

Question 29

How is ***Txakoli*** made?

Answer 29

Normally, this wine is produced from destemmed grapes which first macerate on their skins then undergo a 2 to 3 week fermentation. Traditionally, this fermentation took place in large wooden foudres (264ga./1,000l). Modern methods have introduced stainless steel tanks to the fermentation process. The wine is then bottled or left on the lees for a few more weeks.

Question 30

What new methods have producers of ***txakoli*** been experimenting with?

Answer 30

* extended lees aging * concrete vessels * barrel-fermentation in oak and/or acacia * carbonic maceration * blending Handarribi Zuri/Beltza with international varieties * *vino rosado* * *vino tinto* * *vino espumoso* * *vino dulce*

Question 31

What is the minimum grape variety requirement for wines produced in **Pais Vasco**?

Answer 31

* *Varietal* wine: min **85%** of stated variety * *Vinos rosados*: min. **50%** of **Hondarribi Beltza**

Question 32

Name the **DOP**s of **Pais Vasco**.

Answer 32

1. **DO Arabako Txakolina**/**Txakoli de Alava**/**Chacoli de Alava** (2001) 2. **DO Bizkaiko Txakolina**/ **Txakoli de Bizkaia**/**Chacoli de Bizkaia** (1994) 3. **DO Getariako Txakolina**/**Txakoli de Getaria**/**Chacoli de Getaria** (1989)

Question 33

Which of the **DO**s in **Pais Vasco** is the smallest?

Answer 33

**DO Arabako Txakolina**

Question 34

Where is **DO Arabako Txakolina** located?

Answer 34

This **DO** is situated at the northwestern tip of the **Alava** province. It encompasses 5 municipalities: * Amurrio * Llodio * Artziniega * Okondo * Aiara

Question 35

What styles of wine are produced in **DO Arabako Txakolina**?

Answer 35

* *Blanco* (94%) * *Espumoso* (6%) * *Rosado* (<1%) * *Tinto* (<1%)

Question 36

What soil types are found in **DO Arabako Txakolina**?

Answer 36

*Limestone* with *stone* & *clay*

Question 37

What is the climate in **DO Arabako Txakolina**?

Answer 37

**Maritime** * 35in/900mm annual rainfall * spring frosts are common * it is the driest & most continental of all the **Pais Vasco** regions

Question 38

Name the *white* grape varieties of **DO Arabako Txakolina**.

Answer 38

Preferred: * **Hondarribi Zuri** Authorized: * Izkiriota Ttippia (Petit Manseng) * Hondarribi Zuri Zerratia (Petit Courbu) * Izkiriota (Gros Manseng) * Sauvignon Blanc * Riesling * Chardonnay

Question 39

Name the *red* grape varietites of **DO Arabako Txakolina**.

Answer 39

Preferred: * **Hondarribi Beltza**

Question 40

What vinetraining method is used in **DO Arabako Txakolina**?

Answer 40

***Espaldera***

Question 41

What are the characteristics of wines from **DO Arabako Txakolina**?

Answer 41

Generally riper, richer and fuller-bodied than the 2 northern growing regions in **Pais Vasco**.

Question 42

Where is **DO Bizkaiko Txakolina** located?

Answer 42

This **DO** is located along the coast situated in the **Vizcaya** province, west of the **Guipuzcoa** province and north of the **Alava** province.

Question 43

What styles of wine are produced in **DO Bizkaiko Txakolina**?

Answer 43

* *Blanco* (99%) * *Rosado* (<1%) * *Tinto* (<1%) * *Espumoso* (<1%)

Question 44

What soil types are found in **DO Bizkaiko Txakolina**?

Answer 44

* Coastal: *clay*-*loam* * Inland: *limestone* & *marl*

Question 45

What is the climate in **DO Bizkaiko Txakolina**?

Answer 45

**Maritime** * 47in/1200mm annual rainfall

Question 46

Name the *white* grape varieties of **DO Bizkaiko Txakolina**.

Answer 46

Preferred: * **Hondarribi Zuri** Authorized: * Mune Mahatsa (Folle Blanche) * Hondarribi Zuri Zerratia (Petit Courbu) * Izkiriota (Gros Manseng) * Izkiriota Ttippia (Petit Manseng) * Sauvignon Blanc * Riesling * Chardonnay

Question 47

Name the *red* grape varieties of **DO Bizkaiko Txakolina**.

Answer 47

Preferred: * **Hondarribi Beltza**

Question 48

Where in **DO Bizkaiko Txakolina** are vineyards planted?

Answer 48

Near the coast on low foothills. Plots tend to be small.

Question 49

What vinetraining system is used in **DO Bizkaiko Txakolina**?

Answer 49

Along the Coast: ***Parral***: rainfall is significant and this system allows for good air circulation in and around the vine canopy and lowers the threat of disease. Inland: * ***Espaldera***

Question 50

Which vineyards in **Pais Vasco** are subject to *foehn* winds from the **Montes Vascos**?

Answer 50

The inland vineyards of **DO Bizkaiko Txakolina**.

Question 51

Name the **6** municipalities of **DO Bizkaiko Txakolina**.

Answer 51

1. Encartaciones 2. Uribe 3. Urdaibai 4. Lea-Artibai 5. Nervion 6. Duranguesado The first 4 are situated along the coast. The last 2 are inland.

Question 52

What are the characteristics of wines from **DO Bizkaiko Txakolina**?

Answer 52

Light & easy-drinking with floral notes and tangy citrus & green apple fruit. The palate is usually slightly prickly with a mouthwatering acidity.

Question 53

Which DO in **Pais Vasco** experiences the highest rainfall?

Answer 53

**DO Getariako Txakolina** 63in/1,600mm annually

Question 54

Where is **DO Getariako Txakolina** located?

Answer 54

This **DO** lies within **Guipuzcoa**, Spain's smallest province. It is the easternmost of the **3** **DO**s. The majority of the wine industry is centered around the coastal municipalities of Getaria & Zauratz. This **DO** initially encompassed only the area near the coast (1989), but the boundary was expanded to include the entire province (2007).

Question 55

What wine styles are produced in **DO Getariako Txakolina**?

Answer 55

* *Blanco* (93%) * *Rosado* (6%) * *Tinto* (<1%) * *Espumoso* (>1%)

Question 56

What soil types are found in **DO Getariako Txakolina**?

Answer 56

*Sandy* topsoil with *alluvial* *clay* subsoil

Question 57

What is the climate in **DO Getariako Txakolina**?

Answer 57

**Maritime** * 63in/1600mm annual rainfall

Question 58

Name the *white* grape varieties of **DO Getariako Txakolina**.

Answer 58

Preferred: * **Hondarribi Zuri** Authorized: * Izkiriota (Gros Manseng) * Riesling * Chardonnay * Hondarribi Zuri Zerratia (Petit Courbu)

Question 59

Name the *red* grape varieties of **DO Getariako Txakolina**.

Answer 59

Preferred: * **Hondarribi Beltza**

Question 60

What vinetraining system is used in **DO Getariako Txakolina**?

Answer 60

***Parral***: to mitigate humidity Most vineyards are within 0.6mi/1km of the sea.

Question 61

Name the prominent grape varieties planted in **DO Getariako Txakolina**.

Answer 61

* **Hondarribi Zuri** (95%) * **Hondarribi Beltza**

Question 62

What are the characteristics of wines from **DO Getariako Txakolina**?

Answer 62

Similar in style to those of **DO Bizkaiko Txakolina**. (Light & easy-drinking with floral notes and tangy citrus & green apple fruit. The palate is usually slightly prickly with a mouthwatering acidity.)