Getaway to the Basque Country

On vacation near Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Pamplona or San Sebastian, drink local and discover original appellations of the Basque country !

The origin of viticulture in the Basque country predates the Roman invasion. In this region, the wild vine grew in abundance. Then this region developed under the impulse of the monks, in particular due to the fact that this region was on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Some vines would have survived phylloxera and would today be more than a hundred years old.

The vineyard on the French side

On the French side, the vineyard is located between Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and Saint Etienne de Baigorry. The vines are planted between 200 and 400m above sea level. There are only two AOCs, Irouléguy and Saint-Mont. There are international grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc, but also more intimate varieties, such as Tannat, Courbu, Petit and Gros Manseng.

The red wines of Irouléguy are powerful, greedy. The rosés and whites are aromatic while keeping a nice freshness.

The vineyard on the Spanish side

On the Spanish side, the Basque vineyard includes parcels of the Rioja appellation, “Spanish Bordeaux”, producing fruity wines, powerful in alcohol and tannins but very pleasant on the palate. There are also wines from the Navarre appellation.

But the traditional drink of the Spanish Basque country remains the txakoli, a slightly effervescent white wine, low in alcohol but very acidic. It is often served as an aperitif or to accompany tapas and famous pintxos. This wine is not intended to be kept, it is a scoundrel wine, a wine for friends, which is drunk at the tapas bar and refreshes on summer evenings. Be aware that you can sometimes find txakoli in red and rosé versions.