Basque country is dotted with vineyards that produce top-notch Chacolí (pronounced chah-co-LEE), a tart, Muscadet-like wine that is superb with grilled fish and shellfish. Txomín Echaniz is considered to be the best and is the one you're likely to encounter as the white wine by the glass at fine restaurants in Bilbao.

The Rioja Alavesa region produces excellent red wines, including many made from the Tempranillo grape. Look for bottles from such producers as Marqués de Riscal, Contino and Remelluri.

Navarra, a province southeast of Bilbao, is famed for its rosés, though it also produces fine reds and whites. Bodegas Julián Chivite makes some wonderful dry rosés as well as good barrel-fermented Chardonnays and world-class, oak-aged reserve red wines.