Txakoli: The Most Refreshing Spanish Wine You’ve Never Heard Of

Bright, crisp, and lightly effervescent, this young wine from Basque Country is made for summer sipping

Storied txakoli producer Txomin Etxaniz's vineyards and winery in Getaria, a historic fishing village in Basque Country, Spain. Alberto Loyo/Shutterstock

I saw at a window table at Asador Cannon, a hilltop restaurant overlooking the Bay of Biscay in Basque Country, the autonomous region in the northeastern corner of Spain. Along with the sweeping view of the sea, I enjoyed that perfect trio of exceptional company, food, and drink. I chatted with my guide over a plate of grilled octopus and the seafood special of the day—fresh monkfish—as I sipped my way to the bottom of a bottle of a wine style I’d never heard of: txakoli. 

Pronounced “CHOCK-oh-lee” (the Basque “tx” is like the “ch” in church), but also called txakolina, this dry white wine with high acidity and light effervescence is served cold and young—never more than a year old. The alcohol level ranges from 9–11.5 percent, making it light for a good summer drink.