Bizkaiko Txakolina, Doniene Gorrondona - 2021

What's a nice red wine doing in a place like this? The Basque region of northern Spain has become known for its lightly sparkling whites. Up until the late 19th century, however, reds were all the rage. When phyloxera hit the vineyards were decimated and most replanted with white grapes. At Doniene Gorrondona, a new generation of winemakers is resurrecting the red wine tradition using 150-year-old, ungrafted Hondarribi Beltza vines. They farm organically and use native yeasts to let the terroir shine through. And shine it does. Lush red fruits and black cherry combine with soft green bell pepper notes à la Cabernet Franc. It's fresh and vibrant with a firm tannic edge that make this an excellent food wine.