Rioja: Bodegas Altanza
Visit a unique Rioja winery and discover Altanza, a place where wine tourism goes far beyond a tour with tastings.
Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2018: best 2021 to 2028.
vintage3 yrs10 yrs12 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Atkin reviewed 2021 | 2018 | 92/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: lemon, green apple, almond, saline, flor note
Palate: citrus, saline tang, nutty edge, mineral
A revival of the historic Monopole white blended with a touch of manzanilla sherry: saline, nutty and distinctive, a one-of-a-kind gastronomic white Rioja.
What it pairs with
-
Gilda pintxo
Find gilda pintxo on TableJourney →
The salty anchovy-olive skewer is a perfect echo of the wine's manzanilla saline tang. -
Anchoa fresca
Find anchoa fresca on TableJourney →
Marinated anchovy and the saline, nutty white are a Basque-coast classic. -
Boquerones fritos
Fried fresh anchovies meet the citrus and flor-like savour.
How to serve Monopole Clasico
Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
- Serve at 8-10°C. Cellar temperature (8-10°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a smaller all-purpose white glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Gilda pintxo, Anchoa fresca, Boquerones fritos. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Monopole is one of Spain's oldest white wine brands. The Clasico revives the historic recipe of blending in a little manzanilla sherry for a saline, savoury character.
- 1915: Monopole established as a pioneering Spanish white brand
- 2017: Monopole Clasico relaunched with the historic sherry-blend recipe
Facts
- Producer
- CVNE · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Viura (90%), Manzanilla Sherry (10%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Brief oak ageing with a small addition of manzanilla sherry in the classic style
- ABV
- 13.0%
- Price
- EUR 18 to 28 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3 to 10 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1915
Frequently asked about Monopole Clasico
What does Monopole Clasico taste like?
On the nose, lemon, green apple, almond, saline, flor note. On the palate, citrus, saline tang, nutty edge, mineral. Structurally medium-bodied, high acidity with a long finish. A revival of the historic Monopole white blended with a touch of manzanilla sherry: saline, nutty and distinctive, a one-of-a-kind gastronomic white Rioja.
When should I drink Monopole Clasico?
Drink 3 to 10 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Monopole Clasico?
Gilda pintxo is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Anchoa fresca and Boquerones fritos. The salty anchovy-olive skewer is a perfect echo of the wine's manzanilla saline tang.
Is Monopole Clasico vegan?
No: the producer uses traditional animal-derived fining agents (typically egg whites or isinglass) during clarification, so the wine is not vegan.
What grapes are in Monopole Clasico?
The blend is Viura (90%), Manzanilla Sherry (10%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.
Tags
Taste it where it is made: tours and tastings in Rioja
Rioja Wine Tour: 3 Wineries & Pintxos Lunch
Discover Rioja on a full-day wine tour visiting 3 wineries in Rioja Alta and Alavesa. Taste local wines, explore wine country and enjoy a traditional pintxos lunch.
RIOJA: WINE TOUR WITH THE OWNER OF A WINERY
Taste selected wines at 3 different wineries in Rioja. Visit our own 1881 winery, La Bodega del Tesoro. Enjoy a traditional lunch in a wooden wine press.