Oxer Marko Terlegiz 2025

Oxer Bastegieta farms in the district of Terlegiz near Kortezubi, an old village in Bizkaia in the Basque Country, working organically in the small D.O. Bizkaiko Txakolina appellation. Txakoli is the Basque coast's traditional white, built on high acidity and freshness, made mainly from the native Hondarrabi Zuri grape. The vineyards sit close to the Bay of Biscay, where a cool, damp Atlantic climate and frequent sea breezes keep the fruit crisp and give the wine its saline, coastal character. Rather than the usual early bottled, faintly spritzy style, this txakoli is aged for around six months in large old foudres, big wooden casks that allow gentle oxygen exchange and lees contact while adding little or no wood flavour. That barrel time builds texture and a subtle savoury depth without softening the wine's core of acidity. The wine is pale straw with green tints and opens with green apple, lemon, pear and white flowers over a stony, saline base, with a light waxy note from the lees. The palate is dry, fresh and textural, with keen acidity, a saline mineral thread and a clean, herb tinged finish. Serve well chilled at 9 to 11 degrees. It suits fried fish, anchovies and shellfish.