First point to clarify is that Txakolí (pronounced CHACK-oh-lee) is not a grape variety nor is it a wine region in Spain. Txakolí can be defined as an diverse Atlantic wine style produced in the Spain’s Basque country mostly produced using the following, tongue – twisting grape varieties: Izkiriota (Gros Manseng), Izkiriota Ttippia (Petit Manseng), Hondarribi Zuri (Handarribi Beltza) and Hondarribi Zuri Zarratia (Petit Crbu). Txakolí has 3 Designations of Origen: Txakoli de Getaria (located close to the coastal town of San Sebastian), Txakolí de Bizkaia (north west close to the Basque capital of Bilbao) and Txakolí de Álava (furthest inland of the 3 DOs and closest to the venue for IWNETC 2019 – Álava’s capital, Vitoria-Gasteiz).
Txakolí, a light, refreshing, zesty, often lightly carbonated white wine is difficult to find outside the Basque Country as the locals consume almost the total annual production. Vines are grown on slopes and terraces with most affording a sea view of the Bay of Biscay. Vines on lower and flatter areas are trained high on pergolas.
A visit to a Txakolí winery blends well with tourism to museums, medieval towns and villages steeped in history, prehistoric remains such as dolmens, spa centres, city tours of Álava, Bilbao and San Sebastian and hikes in the hills and dales of the coastal hinterland.
Conference delegates attending the upcoming International Wine Tourism Conference, Exhibition and Workshop should not pass up on the Grand Tasting of Txakoli wines scheduled in the afternoon of day 1 of the 2-day conference progamme of talks and on one of the post conference tours to the nearby Txakolí of Álava DO where still light fresh wines are trending.
A fourth DO can be found in the southern part of Álava defined as the Rioja Alavesa wine region which will also be on the must see, must taste itinerary of tours for conference delegates.
The 2019 and 11th edition of the International Wine Tourism Conference will take place in the Basque Country at the Palacio de Congresos Europa, Vitoria-Gasteiz on the 12th and 13th March 2019. It’s the perfect setting to gain knowledge, improve business connections, network and discover Rioja Alavesa and Txakolí wines and the Basque Country as a grape escape destination.
