Uriondo Txakoli Bizkaiko Txakolina 2019
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Robert
Parker
Product Details
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Winemaker Notes
Perfect as an aperitif, with any raw bar or shellfish, or with mild cheeses
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
There are two wines, the unoaked and very pale 2019 Uriondo, which is released early, fresh and young and a cuvée in American oak released two years after the harvest. This shy, fruit-driven and straightforward white was produced with 70% Ondarrabi (Zuri and Zerratia), 20% Mune Mahatsa (Folle Blanche) and 10% Txori Mahatsa (Sauvignon Blanc!). It's sharp and fresh, a wine to enjoy with food, and it has moderate alcohol and remarkable acidity that makes you salivate. It has a serious mouthfeel with a chalky feeling to it.
Other Vintages
2009-
Robert
Parker
Uriondo is a small family winery founded in 1987 by Roberto Ibarretxe, located near the port city of Bilbao in the tiny Basque village of Zaratamo. Roberto was a psychology professor in Bilbao and his brother an engineer; both now work at the winery. They planted the first vines in the area in 1982 on their parent’s dairy farm.
Uriondo, named after their neighborhood, is the oldest winery in the region and was one of three original pioneers in the revival of Txakolina production near Bilbao, with the creation of the Bizkaiko Txakolina DO in 1994. Prior to that, the Txakolina discipline was nearly lost in the area, with many vineyards given over to the construction of seaside homes. Their goal has always been to rejuvenate the tradition of Txakolina and honor its contribution to the gastronomic and cultural history of their village with their indigenous grapes. In this respect, Roberto has been a pioneer.
Uriondo, consisting of one tiny single vineyard (2.5 hectares), is situated at an altitude of 175 meters with a southeasterly exposure, in the countryside. This vineyard, heavily influenced by the Atlantic climate, is predominantly a clay/sand mixture allowing for good retention of nutrients. Their mission was to do the best viticulture by keeping everything very small and hands-on.
The next generation of the winery lies with Roberto’s partner, Isabel Viñas. Isabel started by helping with the harvest, which sparked her interest in winemaking. Also holding a degree in psychology, she followed her new passion and completed her masters in oenology. She now works as the lead winemaker on the project, with the pair doing all of the work manually, from vineyard to bottle. The utmost respect is given to the tradition of the local wine as part of the Basque culinary tradition. Together, they make less than a thousand cases of their hand-crafted namesake wine: Uriondo.
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
On the southern edge of the rocky Bay of Biscay in northern Spain, this is Basque country and home to the refreshing and slightly effervescent (usually) white wine, Txakoli. Three subregions compose the larger one: Getariako Txakolina, Bizkaiko Txakolina and Arabako Txakolina. While Hondarribi Zuri and Hondarrabi Beltza are the main grape varieties, other French varieties are scattered throughout the region.