Hondarrabi Zuri

Hondarrabi Zuri, also written Hondarribi Zuri, is a white-grape name closely associated with Basque txakoli. It is one of the useful words to recognise when exploring that Atlantic wine tradition rather than treating every bottle simply as a lightly sparkling summer white. The region includes differences in grapes, texture and production that a shorthand description can hide.

A fresh, dry wine with a lively acid line is a familiar expression, but the amount of spritz and the weight vary by producer and place. Some wines are still and more substantial than the popular image suggests. Hondarrabi Beltza is a different, dark grape, so the colour word is part of the identity and should not be omitted casually.

Choose a lighter dry version with seafood, fish, vegetables or an aperitif plate. For a more textured bottle, allow enough warmth in the glass to show its fruit and use a more substantial dish if appropriate. Check the producer's description of bubbles rather than assuming that all txakoli needs the same pouring technique or has the same level of fizz.