Ehrmanns boosts Iberian menu with Astobiza Estate

By Lisa Riley

Published: 20 September, 2018

Ehrmanns has boosted its Iberian portfolio by partnering with boutique Txakoli producers, Astobiza Estate.

Based in Okondo in the Álava province, the small-scale winery owns 10 hectares of vineyards focused on the indigenous Ondarrabi Zuri grape, with smaller plantings of Ondarrabi Zuri Zerriatie (Petit Courbu) and Izkirota (Gros Manseng).

The grapes, which are planted at low densities at 300 metres above sea level, are all handpicked and protected from Atlantic winds by surrounding hills.

In line with sales of wines to be enjoyed with food continuing to increase, this “highly gastronomic estate” was enjoying international recognition for its handmade wines, said Ehrmanns director, Peter J Dauthieu, adding the latest addition enriched the company’s current Spanish portfolio, which specialises in wines from the Iberian Peninsula.

Astobiza focuses on artisanal winemaking methods and produces a classic Txakoli from a single vineyard, which has characteristic zesty acidity and varietal aromas of white, stone and citrus fruit as well as mineral undertones.

In addition, the winery produce a single plot Txakoli, named after the chalk soiled Malkoa parcel. Planted in 1996, the plot is just short of two hectares and vines are planted on a chalky south facing slope on Mt. Ganekagorta.

This complex white is unique in that it is made from exceptionally ripe 100% Ondarrabi Zuri grapes and is claimed to be the first Txakoli to have been aged in a concrete egg shaped tank, where it spends 20 months on lees.

Another listing from Astobiza is a single vineyard late harvest white from 100% Izkirota.

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