Arretxea in Irouléguy
by Chris Santini
Arretxea in Irouléguy
by Chris Santini
Oh, how far Irouléguy, the hidden gem of French Basque country, has come! Once upon a time, not so long ago, a local joke went something like this: “How do you say vinegar in Basque? Irouléguy!” Vines covered hardly any ground, and you could count the growers on a single hand. Enter the Riouspeyrous family in 1989 and their ambitious project of Domaine Arretxea, to revive what they knew was an ancient tradition of making wines unlike any other from these steep slopes, as strong in character as the local culture and as unique and mysterious as the Basque language itself. Today, the hills of Irouléguy are alive and busy with vines and growers, the wines revered and allocated and fought over, thanks in large part to the vision and labor of our favorite Basque estate. Merci beaucoup, or rather, Milesker anitz, Arretxea!
Wines In The Collection
Maison Arretxea France | Southwest
Imagine a red straddling the Loire, Médoc, and Madiran with Basque flair and a Pyrenean freshness. You’ll see that Irouléguy is in a world apart.
Maison Arretxea France | Southwest
Any lover of whites from Chablis or the Loire should try this white made of Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, and Petit Courbu.
Maison Arretxea France | Southwest
A black wine made from steep inclines planted to Tannat and some Cabernet Sauvignon, it demands patience while its dense, mouth-coating tannins slowly release their clutching grip.
Maison Arretxea France | Southwest
This inky, tooth-staining Tannat blend is structured and deep, with a bright acidity and an abundance of wild dark fruits and black cardamon.
France | Southwest
Imagine a red straddling the Loire, Médoc, and Madiran with Basque flair and a Pyrenean freshness. You’ll see that Irouléguy is in a world apart.
France | Southwest
Any lover of whites from Chablis or the Loire should try this white made of Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, and Petit Courbu.
France | Southwest
A black wine made from steep inclines planted to Tannat and some Cabernet Sauvignon, it demands patience while its dense, mouth-coating tannins slowly release their clutching grip.
France | Southwest
This inky, tooth-staining Tannat blend is structured and deep, with a bright acidity and an abundance of wild dark fruits and black cardamon.
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The Carpe Vinum Collection
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Recent Wine Club Selections
Our five wine clubs feature our best values from France and Italy as well as complex and cellar-worthy wines.