Hondarrabi Zuri

Hondarrabi Zuri is a white grape variety from Spain’s Basque Country. It is most famously used in the production of the light, crisp and aromatic Txakoli wines of the region.

Hondarrabi Zuri is a very light coloured grape, and its wines are typically greenish-yellow in hue. Its intense aromas tend to be a mix of exotic fruits and herbs, with notes of lime, lemon, pineapple, and green apples. Its taste profile is generally light, tart and crisp, with a pronounced lemony acidity.

Hondarrabi Zuri is most commonly found in the Basque Country of northern Spain. The grape is grown mainly in the province of Bizkaia and it is used to make the region’s signature Txakoli wines. Hondarrabi Zuri is a hardy grape variety that can tolerate cooler climates. It is generally planted on hilly vineyards with soils of clay and limestone. The bunches are small and compact making it somewhat susceptible to bunch rot. The winemaking process for Hondarrabi Zuri is fairly simple, with the grapes being lightly crushed, pressed and fermented at cool temperatures to retain their unique flavors and aromas. The traditional Txakoli wines of the Basque Country are made exclusively with Hondarrabi Zuri. These wines are typically light, crisp and aromatic with a pronounced lemony acidity and sometimes with some significant amount of dissolved carbon dioxide. The light, tart and crisp nature of Hondarrabi Zuri makes it an ideal partner for seafood dishes. The grape’s citrus notes can cut through the oiliness of dishes like grilled fish, and its lemony acidity can help to balance out the richness of sauces.

The variety is known for its very low yields and rarely exceeds 8000 kg/ha.