Basque Spain - Contrasting Wine Styles of Pais Vasco and Navarra

We will be tasting wines from two separate autonomous regions in northern Spain with historic Basque roots - Navarra and Pais Vasco (Basque Country), offering contrasting wine styles.

If you've ever seen the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao or done a pintxo crawl in San Sebastian, that's the Basque Country. They specialize in refreshing low alcohol white wines (txakoli) and dry cider (usually poured dramatically from high up to create a foam in the glass). The US has become the largest export market. We will taste both txakoli and cider, but with a twist.

Navarra, on the other hand, is associated with the festival of San Fermin in Pamplona, which includes the Running of the Bulls, or for literature fans, Hemingway's novel "The Sun also Rises". For me, Pamplona evokes memories of giant asparagus, chistorra sausage, and stuffed piquillo peppers.

Their wines are mostly red, and in addition to the native garnacha, cab sauv/merlot/syrah plantings abound in the area. Mysteriously, they have almost disappeared from the US market, perhaps due to lack of promotion. (Check your local wine store - I bet they have 30 riojas but not a single wine from Navarra). It's very hard to procure samples, but on the upside, they tend to be good value wines.

We will be feasting family style at Peking Duck House in Chinatown (not Midtown East!).

Here is their menu:
Peking Duck Dinner Set Menu

Scroll down to the Peking Duck Dinner section for the prix fixe set menus. For 6 people, we will be getting
a> appetizers - steamed dumpling, spring rolls, and barbecued beef
b> soup
c> 1 Peking duck + 4 entrees - we will choose 4 items from the list (refer to the link above)
d> dessert - fried banana with walnuts

For the wines, you will prepay $21.
The prix-fixe food cost per person is $51++, therefore around $67 post tax and tip.

To make bill paying smoother, please bring cash, or use Zelle or Venmo to pay your share.

Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). All cancellations are subject to a $10 service fee.

Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!

Below are the wines

Pais Vasco

# 2024 Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado
Grape - 50% hondarrabi zuri (white), 50% hondarrabi beltza (red); Appellation - DO Getariako Txakolina

Pais Vasco is known for txakoli, a refreshing lightly fizzy wine, similar to vinho verde. It is usually white, but some producers have started blending white and red grapes, inspired by the historic "claret" style wines which were once produced in the area long before the current global craze made rosé famous.

Here's a behind the scenes look at how this rose came to American shores - A Rose so divine they call it Baby Jesus

"This is truly thirst quenching rosé. A Txakoli rosé, you say? Why yes. This wine shows bright acidity, with hints of rose petals, red candied fruits, and fresh strawberries." (Astor Wines)

# Cider - NV Iruin Sagardotegia Barrika Txerri

Traditional, classic Sagardoa made by the Astiazaran family since 1880. What started as a cider made for friends and family has grown in reputation and reach, with more than 100 cider awards to it's name and international distribution.

Single-barrel selection macerated with local cherries. Low ABV, light, refreshing and delicious. Hints of cherries and apples – balanced and natural.

Navarra

# 2024 Bodegas Aroa Le Naturel Tinto
Grapes- garnacha tinta Appellation - DO Navarra subzone Tierra Estella

A natural wine with no added sulfites and made with minimal intervention to showcase the grapes. The vineyards are in the Valle de Yerri, the highest and coolest zone of the denomination. Le Naturel is a lightweight easy-to-drink wine, with dominant notes of red raspberry, blackberry, and violet. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh, perfect for lighter fare, or drinking on its own with a chill.

Personal Note - I stayed in Estella and passed by the free wine fountain at Bodegas Irache along the Camino de Santiago, so it's cool to find a wine from the subzone's vineyards.

# 2020 Bodega Inurrieta Cuatrocientos
Grape- 50% cabernet sauvignon 26% graciano 14% syrah 10% merlot Appellation - DO Navarra subzone Ribera Alta

A blend of mostly international grapes, which are quite predominant in Navarra (the most planted white grape is chardonnay!). The name "Cuatrocientos" means "400", referring to the altitude where the vines are grown.

Dark, with an elegant, sweet, fruity nose combining a fine, perfumed imprint from barrel aging. In the mouth, it proves lively, balanced and meaty, highlighting the excellent quality of its tannins. Aged 14 months in oak.