Straddling both Spain and France, this mountainous region is known for its scenic cities, independent traditions and language, and of course, the food.

In this episode cook and writer Marti Buckley takes James and Lucy on a virtual tour of the Basque Country from the Guggenheim to La Rioja. As well as discussing the unique culture and scenery of the Basque Country, no trip to the area is complete without sampling the region&#39;s rich culinary heritage, and Marti takes our hosts through a tasting menu of pintxos and other local specialities, stopping by at one of the top restaurants in the world. Listen out for an amusement park from the 1920s, the Balenciaga museum and the region’s biggest pig. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy">acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.

The Basque Country

San Sebastian, Spain. Snacks stabbed with toothpicks, cider right from the barrel, and the highest concentration of Michelin starred restaurants in the world. This week we’re Ania Wielechowska from Devour Tours takes us to San Sebastian, Spain to sample Pintxos, the local sparkling wine, and picnic with surfers. [EP69]
Show Notes:
Devour Tours San Sebastian <a href="https://devoursansebastianfoodtours.com/">https://devoursansebastianfoodtours.com/</a>
The Basque History of the World book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Basque-History-World-Story-Nation/dp/0140298517/ref&#61;sr_1_1?keywords&#61;basque&#43;history&#43;of&#43;the&#43;world&amp;qid&#61;1582304583&amp;sr&#61;8-1">https://www.amazon.com/Basque-History-World-Story-Nation/dp/0140298517/ref&#61;sr_1_1?keywords&#61;basque&#43;history&#43;of&#43;the&#43;world&amp;qid&#61;1582304583&amp;sr&#61;8-1</a>
Pintxos in San Sebastian <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v&#61;kkgKwj9l294">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v&#61;kkgKwj9l294</a>
Txepetxa <a href="https://bartxepetxa.es/">https://bartxepetxa.es/</a>
Borda Berri <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Borda-Berri-aki-se-guisa-148215661896984/">https://www.facebook.com/Borda-Berri-aki-se-guisa-148215661896984/</a>
Paco Bueno Calle Mayor, 6, 20003 Donostia-San Sebastian, SS, Spain
Tolosa Beans <a href="https://devoursansebastianfoodtours.com/behind-the-bite-tolosa-beans/">https://devoursansebastianfoodtours.com/behind-the-bite-tolosa-beans/</a>
Markets in San Sebastian <a href="https://devoursansebastianfoodtours.com/markets-and-shops-san-sebastian/">https://devoursansebastianfoodtours.com/markets-and-shops-san-sebastian/</a>
Beaches in San Sebastian <a href="https://devoursansebastianfoodtours.com/best-beaches-in-san-sebastian/">https://devoursansebastianfoodtours.com/best-beaches-in-san-sebastian/</a>
Elkano <a href="https://www.restauranteelkano.com/">https://www.restauranteelkano.com/</a>
Mugaritz <a href="https://www.restauranteelkano.com/">https://www.restauranteelkano.com/</a>
Asador Etxebarri <a href="https://asadoretxebarri.com/index-eng.html">https://asadoretxebarri.com/index-eng.html</a>
Txakoli <a href="https://devoursansebastianfoodtours.com/what-is-txakoli/">https://devoursansebastianfoodtours.com/what-is-txakoli/</a>
What to Drink in San Sebastian <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v&#61;I6HOVRAvQ7E">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v&#61;I6HOVRAvQ7E</a>
Cider House <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v&#61;nAlNO7YAlIM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v&#61;nAlNO7YAlIM</a>
Zelaia <a href="http://zelaia.eus/en/">http://zelaia.eus/en/</a>

Destination Eat Drink – San Sebastian, Spain

Drizzle, green hills, pintxos, cider, pelota &amp; bull running. We must be talking The Basque Country! 
Tucked into the corner of northeastern Spain, País Vasco, or as it is known in the regional Basque language, Euskadi is one of the lesser-known Spains for many. To talk us through the landscape, cities, beaches, language, traditions and food and drink is David Bumstead. David moved to San Sebastian from the UK in 1983 and never left. 
Join us as we explore this unique corner of Spain and everything it has to offer.
In the episode David talks us through the landscape, cities, beaches and countryside of The Basque Country. We also delve into Basque language and traditions, including pelota and bull running in Pamplona. Of course, we talk food and drink, from pintxos to the region´s renowned yet secretive gastronomic societies. We round off the episode looking at ETA and its history and how Basques feel about it today. 
Useful links and places mentioned in the episode:
Bilbao 
Guggenheim - https://www.guggenheim-bilbao.eus/en

 
Gernika
Gernika Peace Museum - https://www.museodelapaz.org/

 
San Sebastián
International Film Festival
https://www.sansebastianfestival.com/2020/film_registration/1/3514/in

 
Beaches
Getaria
Hondarribia 

 
Inland walking
Txindoki Mountain 
Parque Natural Aralar
Ordizia
Txakoli Wine - https://www.sansebastianturismoa.eus/en/eat/txakoli-wine
Basque Cider Houses - https://www.sansebastianturismoa.eus/en/eat/where-to-eat/cider-houses

 
Pamplona - San Fermin (Running of the Bulls) - https://www.sanfermin.com/en/
Film and TV
Patria
Ocho Apellidos Vascos (Spanish Affair) 
La Línea Invisible
LEARN A FEW WORDS OF BASQUE BEFORE YOUR VISIT


 	
Kaixo &#61; Hello / Agur &#61; Goodbye

 	
Bai &#61; Yes / Ez &#61; No

 	
Eskerrik asko &#61; Thank you

 	
Mesedez &#61; Please

 	
Zenbat balio du? &#61; How much?

 	
Ez dut ulertzen &#61; don’t understand

 	
Bi garagardo &#61; two beers

 	
Ezkerra &#61; left / Eskuina &#61; right

 	
Ba al dakizu ingelesez? &#61; Do you speak English?


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The Basque Country with David Bumstead

It’s known as the Guggenheim Effect – the extraordinary impact that the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao had in revitalizing the Basque city into an international arts destination. Initially, the idea for the museum generated so much controversy and opposition that it nearly didn’t happen. Dr Jeni Ryde joins us today to explain why Bilbao, as she puts it, is a phoenix rising from the ashes.

Bilbao & The Guggenheim Effect

Join Us in France Travel Podcast Today we take you to Bayonne France in the Basque Country. Bayonne is a  place of notable character, culture, history, and it has so much to offer to today’s visitor too! Both Elyse and I love the place and we  tell you why. To learn about Join Us in France Tours, visit <a href="https://www.addictedtofrance.com/">Addicted to France</a> If you enjoy the show, subscribe to the <a href="http://joinusinfrance.com/subscribe-to-join-us-in-france/">Join Us in France Newsletter</a> Click here for <a href="http://joinusinfrance.com/47">show notes</a> and photos for this episode. Click here to <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/join-us-in-france-travel-podcast/id827972274?mt&#61;2&amp;ls&#61;1"> review the show on iTunes</a>. Click here to leave us a <a href="http://www.speakpipe.com/JoinUsInFrance">voice mail</a> question or comment. Send email feedback: annie&#64;joinusinfrance.com Follow the show on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1790302671230717/">Facebook</a> THANK YOU for listening to the show!

Bayonne in the Basque Country, Episode 47

Honor is joined by Gorka from the Basque Country; a country that is celebrated for its traditions, with a culture and language like no other in the world. Gorka describes the Basque’s “stubbornness” to keep their culture alive, so no wonder it makes up a large part of what you can get up to in the Low Seasons. With a unique mix of modern and traditional, this really is a destination like no other.   Episode Links: The Basque Country Official Tourism Website: <a href="https://tourism.euskadi.eus/en/">https://tourism.euskadi.eus/en/</a> The Feast of St Thomas: <a href="https://www.guggenheim-bilbao.eus/en/useful-information/sightsee/what-to-do/feast-of-st-thomas">https://www.guggenheim-bilbao.eus/en/useful-information/sightsee/what-to-do/feast-of-st-thomas</a>   The Last Monday of October in Gernika: <a href="http://turismo.gernika-lumo.eus/en-us/Pages/default.aspx">http://turismo.gernika-lumo.eus/en-us/Pages/default.aspx</a>  San Sebastian&#39;s Tamborrada Festival: <a href="https://theculturetrip.com/europe/spain/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-san-sebastians-tamborrada-festival/">https://theculturetrip.com/europe/spain/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-san-sebastians-tamborrada-festival/</a>  Guggenheim in Bilbao: <a href="https://www.guggenheim-bilbao.eus/en">https://www.guggenheim-bilbao.eus/en</a>  Museum of Fine Arts Bilbao: <a href="https://www.museobilbao.com/">https://www.museobilbao.com/</a>  Cider House Recommendations: <a href="https://www.travelcookeat.com/imported-20100608191054/2018/3/24/the-best-ciderhouses-a-top-3-and-all-you-need-to-know">https://www.travelcookeat.com/imported-20100608191054/2018/3/24/the-best-ciderhouses-a-top-3-and-all-you-need-to-know</a>

The Basque Country: Where Modern Meets Traditional

The Basque Country in northeastern Spain lies on the Bay of Biscay and abuts the Pyrenees Mountains, a mere 18 mi/30 km from the French border. Until about a decade ago, this area was relatively unknown as a wine region. But with the rise of Basque cuisine, an increased interest from wine buyers in native varietals, and a desire for lower alcohol, thirst-quenching wines, Txakolina (chock-o-LEEN-ah), a white, high acid, spritzy wine started to get attention. The phenom started in places all over the United States (which boasts a Basque population of more than 50,000 people), then the UK and Japan, now small quantities of wine find their way to  many other countries around the world. Map of Basque Country: Vineyards.com In this show, we discuss this historic region, with its own language, culture, and wine traditions. We talk about how the modern wine industry was renewed, and what you can expect from these delicious, refreshing (mainly white) wines. If you haven’t had these wines or heard of them, this should will give you a good foundation to learn about them and appreciate all that it took for them to make it to your table!   Here the show notes: <li>We give an overview of the Basque region (Euskadi), and the language of Euskera, one of the oldest spoken languages with no link to any other known language <li>We discuss the quirky naming convention of the wine of this area, the original name of called txakolin and the meaning of txakolina  &#34;the txakolin&#34; – a term was used from middle of the 18th century onwards and how Txakoli was a misspelling used after 1985. (Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Txakoli#cite_note-hiztegibatua-1">Wikipedia</a>, originally from the Academy of Basque Language)</li><li>The wine is called chacolí in Spanish </li> </li><li>We spend time on the history of Basque country, with a focus on the independent spirit of the Basque people. We discuss the political discord in the region, especially the difficulties with the Basque Separatist Movement. We tie in wine—discussing the importance of the rise of Michelin-starred chefs in the Basque region, the interest of importers like Jorge Ordoñez who imported cases of Txomin Etxaniz to the US in the early 1990s, and how sommeliers and others had growing interest in native grapes</li> Photo: Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao in Basque Country <li>Location: We review where Basque Country is… <li>Northern Basque Country: The French part in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of France</li><li>Southern Basque Country/El País Vasco of Spain, Basque Autonomous Community: including Álava, Biscay, and Gipuzkoa</li><li>Other areas that make Chacolí (I’m spelling it this way because they are Spanish areas) are Cantabria and Burgos</li> </li>   <li>Land and climate: We mention features like the Cantabrian Mountains, vineyards near the coast surrounding Bilbao, and vineyards toward the Ebro Valley and Rioja. Vineyards are terraced and on hillsides, some quite steep. We talk about the wet Atlantic climate of the reigon and its effect on the grapes.</li> Photo: Bodega Doniene Gorrondona <li>Grapes: The main grapes are Hondarrabi Zuri (Courbu blanc and <a href="http://fringewine.blogspot.com/2012/03/hondarrabi-zuri-courbu-blanc.html">here is the link to the blog we mention</a>), Hondarrabi Zuri Zerratia, Hondarrabi Beltza (a red grape for reds and rosés), Also allowed: Bordeleza Zuria/ Mune Mahatsa (Folle Blanche), Izkiriota Ttipia (Petit Manseng), Izkiriota (Gros Manseng), Petit Corbu, Txori mahatsa (Sauvignon Blanc), Chardonnay, Riesling </li><li>Here’s <a href="https://www.winespectator.com/articles/basque-country-wine-txakoli-kramer">the article I mention in the show about rosé being a creation for the American market… </a></li>   <li>Vineyard and winemaking. We discuss the parras – the high pergolas that help keep the airflow through the canopy. We talk about the mainly modern winemaking facilities and methods, but how some of the producers are working with longer lees aging, aging in wood and concrete, and blending. We explore the technique of making the wine under a blanket of nitrogen to ensure spritz in your glass and how it is pour from shoulder height to enhance the fizz in the glass.</li>   Txakolina Vineyard Photo: Josu Goñi Etxabe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Finally, we discuss the Denominaciones de Origen: Getariako Txakolina or Txakoli de Getaria, (Chacolí de Guetaria -Spanish), is the most important, oldest, and most prolific DO, yet the smallest geographically. The wines are softer and riper, with less bitterness and great acidity. They nearly always have spritz.   Bizkaiko Txakolina or Txakoli de Bizkaia  - (Spanish is Chacolí de Vizcaya), got its DO in 1994. It is mostly small tracts of land around Bilbao, overlooking the Bay of Biscay. These wines are more herbaceous than other regions and can be less fizzy, fuller, rounder and more textured.   Arabako Txakolina or Txakoli de Álava, achieved DO status in 2001, making it the youngest DO. This area is inland, south of Bilbao. In the south of this province, you&#39;ll find Rioja Alavesa. The north makes acidic, dry, fruity, low alcohol wines. These wines are often blended -- Hondarrabi Zuri, Gross Manseng, Petit Manseng and Petit Corbu are commonly mixed together.   Producers we mention: Getariako: <li>Txomin Etxaniz: Largest winery in the Getaria region, makes 18% of the region’s output</li><li>Ameztoi</li><li>Gaintza</li>   Bizkaiko <li>Doniene Gorrondona</li><li>Bodegas Itsasmendi</li> Photo: Bodegas Itsasmendi Arabako <li>Bat Gara</li> *Outro Snippet from the Song &#34;Mr. Dobalina&#34; is by Del the Funky Homo Sapien, (c)1991 from the &#34;I Wish My Brother George Was Here&#34;, Elektra Records.  _____________________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople"></a> Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople">https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople</a> And to sign up for classes, please go to <a href="http://www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!">www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!</a>  Get your copy <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wine-Normal-People-Guide-Snobbery/dp/1452171343">Wine For Normal People Book</a> today!    <a href="http://www.wineaccess.com/normal">Wine Access </a><a href="http://www.wineaccess.com/normal"></a> Visit: <a href="http://www.wineaccess.com/normal">www.wineaccess.com/normal</a> for a special deal on your order! I’m so excited to work with <a href="http://www.wineaccess.com/normal">Wine Access</a> and you should definitely try them out. <a href="http://www.wineaccess.com/normal">Wine Access</a> is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). <li><a href="http://www.wineaccess.com/normal">Wine Access</a> provides extensive tasting notes, stories about the wine and a really cool bottle hanger with pairings, flavor profile, and serving temps.</li><li>They have REAL brands, REAL people picking the wines, and the deals and service are outstanding. Try their wine club out -- it&#39;s one of the best ways to get quality wines you may never have tried! </li> Check it out today! <a href="http://www.wineaccess.com/normal">www.wineaccess.com/normal</a>

Destinations

Interests

Basque Country

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