Drinking
Cider (fermented apple juice), the red wines from Rioja Alavesa, and Txakolí, a young local wine, are the most popular drinks in Euskadi. Txakoli has stepped up in the last few years by developing its own Denomination, of which Bakio is one of the main varieties. Cider, on the other hand, is drunk in season, starting in January on San Sebastian day, and lasting until May. It is well worth the effort to go to a cider house to taste the season´s produce, accompanied by a traditional menu of cod omelette, grilled steak, and cheese with quince and nuts.


Txakoli
This is a young, fruity, slightly acidic wine that goes well with starters, fish and sea food. It is a yearly wine, drunk in the year of production. The grapes are harvested in September and white, red or rosé txakoli is produced. There are plenty of bodegas in different areas of the Basque country side where this wine can be tasted and bought. And, of course, it is well stocked by all the bars and restaurants in Bilbao.

+ info: www.bizkaikotxakolina.org


Cider
Apple cider is rooted in Basque culture. Each Juanuary, the cider season starts with the “txotx”, the opening of the barrels that hold this year´s produce. It can be consumed straight from the barrel in season (January to May), or bottled during the rest of the year. There are innumerable bodegas throughout Bizkaia where cider can be enjoyed and purchased (Bilbao, Gernika, Markina-Xemein, Lezama, Iurreta...).

+ info: www.bizkaia.net


Rioja Alavesa wine
The wines produced in southern Alava province, known as Rioja Alavesa, enjoy the world renowned Rioja Denomination. The most prestigious ones are the red that, depending on the amount of time spent maturing in barrel, are classified as Crianza, Reserva, or Gran Reserva. The same system is applied to the excellent whites and roses produced in the area. Any of the bodegas scattered in villages like Laguardia, Smaniego, Lanciego, Villabuena, Baños de Ebro, or El Ciego welcome visitors, many of them offering restaurant and hotel services.

+ info: www.riojawine.com, www.rioja-alavesa.net and www.riojalavesa.com

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