Source: de Maison Selctions
XARMANT
Txakoli, Spain
There is only one producer in Arabako today producing any real quantities. This winery, Artomaña Txakolina (also known as Xarmant), was founded in 1989. Twelve growers decided to pool their resources and establish the denomination. They named the wine they created Xarmant: "charming" in French, and a fitting reflection of its nature.
Located in the town of Amurrio, the vineyard lies in a valley that faces toward the Atlantic Ocean. At an elevation of 350 meters on the border of Castilla y León, the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean creates a wine with a unique microclimate. The grapes used are the traditional Hondarribi Zurri and Hondarribi Beltza varieties that are indigenous to the Basque region, and these are blended with other local varieties such as Hondarribi Zuri Zerratia, Izkiriota and Izkiriota Ttippia. The wine is fermented in stainless steel, and only indigenous yeasts are used so that the grapes reflect the true qualities of the unique soil and site. In accordance with the style in this part of the Basque Country, Xarmant is bottled with less residual carbon dioxide than most txakolinas.