From: Basque Country, Spain
Varietal: Hondarribi Beltza
Taste: An effusive nose with playful notes of wild strawberries, red currants, and a hint of tangerine zest. As it unfolds, it reveals subtle whispers of sea breeze and a gentle minerality reminiscent of its coastal origins. On the palate, this rosé is refreshing and zesty, showcasing vibrant red berry flavors complemented by an undercurrent of ripe citrus. It is unexpectedly complex, expertly balancing its effervescent acidity with a delicate fruitiness. This rosé offers a satisfyingly long finish, ensuring that its crisp, refreshing character remains memorable. Each sip is like a drop of summer, encapsulating the charm of the Basque Country and its effervescent txakoli tradition.
Pairing: The 2022 Mokoroa Txakoli Rosé, with its lively acidity and tantalizing flavors, is a food-friendly wine that can complement a variety of dishes. It is best paired with light, fresh summer fare that can stand up to its dynamic personality. A perfect picnic pairing would be fresh seafood, such as grilled prawns or a classic shrimp ceviche, as the wine's brisk acidity and subtle minerality enhance the sweet, succulent nature of the shellfish. It also pairs beautifully with traditional Basque pintxos, particularly a gilda skewer with its combination of pickled peppers, green olives, and salt-cured anchovies. The wine's crispness balances the pintxo's saltiness, while its fruitiness complements the dish's tangy flavors.
Spanish-Style Shrimp With Garlic
By Martha Rose Shulman
About. The Basque Country, a realm of remarkable culinary delights and traditional beverages, holds an enticing secret within its borders – the delightful and underappreciated Txakoli wine. One notable protagonist of this exclusive group is the Mokoroa Txakoli winery, a family-run enterprise carving out its legacy in the wine world with an undeniably exciting variety of Rosé Txakoli.
Mokoroa Winery - Home of the Txakoli
Mokoroa txakoli winery, established in 2008, is nestled in the picturesque landscape of Zarautz, bordering Getaria in Gipuzkoa province. The winery was brought to life by Jose Antonio Mokoroa and his family, who are still passionately dedicated to the annual pursuit of an outstanding harvest.
This vineyard's name has become synonymous with the Getariako Txakolina Denomination of Origin (DO). This DO is one of only three – the others being Araba and Bizkaia – sanctioned to produce Txakoli in the Basque Country. It embodies the heart and soul of the region, sweeping across the province of Gipuzkoa.
Enchanting Vineyards and Varied Grapes
Sprawling across six hectares of trellised slopes that stare towards the Cantabrian sea, the Mokoroa vineyards are truly a sight to behold. Here, the local Hondarrabi Zuri variety predominates, interspersed with patches of Chardonnay. Both varieties are meticulously nurtured until they reach optimal ripening criteria, crucial for producing
Mokoroa's top-quality Txakoli.
A Summer Surprise: 2022 Mokoroa Txakoli Rosé
As summer beckons, it's time to put down your usual Provence rosé and explore the enticing rosé offerings from the Basque Country. The 2022 Mokoroa Txakoli Rosé promises to be a summer favourite, brimming with the tart fruitiness, delicate effervescence, and crisp minerality of txakoli.
Ashley Santoro, wine director at The Standard East Village in Manhattan, describes rosé txakoli as "slightly prickly and super refreshing." These wines shatter the common misperception that all rosés are sweet blush wines, bringing an entirely new experience to the palate.
Indeed, rosé txakoli is poised to become the new symbol of summer. With its vibrant flavours, refreshing tartness, and low alcohol content, it is an ideal picnic companion. According to Alex Raij, chef-owner at Txikito in Manhattan, the rosé txakoli's high acidity makes it an excellent companion to food.
A Delightful Tradition
Embracing the tradition of the Basque country, rosé txakoli is best enjoyed poured from a porrón – a glass pitcher with a spout used for serving and aerating wine in a fun, festive manner. Pair it with a classic Basque pintxo, a gilda – skewered pickled peppers, green olives, and salt-cured anchovies – for a truly immersive experience.
Rosé txakoli started as a novelty in the Basque country but has gained popularity, thanks, in part, to America's growing taste for rosé. Although the number of producers is limited and can fluctuate year to year depending on the harvest, the Mokoroa Txakoli Rosé consistently stands out as a must-try summer wine.
The 2022 Mokoroa Txakoli Rosé invites you to refresh your summer wine routine and embrace the joyous spirit of Basque country winemaking. Remember Santoro's reminder: "Txakoli is meant to be fun." Embrace the spontaneity and let your wine pour high, and don't be afraid to get a little splashy. After all, summer is here, and there's a new rosé in town.
