The London Lounge

About 6 years ago, I was in Madrid having dinner, and the waiter suggested a wine/champagne (not sure which) called "Monopole." I really liked it but have had no success finding it in the States. I do not know much about wine or champagne, but, does anyone know of this particular "brand," or is this just some region where several wines are made?

thanks.

kirsch wrote:About 6 years ago, I was in Madrid having dinner, and the waiter suggested a wine/champagne (not sure which) called "Monopole." I really liked it but have had no success finding it in the States. I do not know much about wine or champagne, but, does anyone know of this particular "brand," or is this just some region where several wines are made?

thanks.

Heidsieck Monopole?

THe term generally refers to a wine that is made from a single vineyard (i.e., not a blend) which is wholly owned by one person-- usually the winemaker.

I can't think offhand of which Champagnes are marketed this way.

Concordia wrote:THe term generally refers to a wine that is made from a single vineyard (i.e., not a blend) which is wholly owned by one person-- usually the winemaker.

Perhaps you're thinking of "récoltant-manipulants" Champagne instead? I believe Hiedsick owns the "Monopole" trademark, and it doesn't mean the same thing.

--Andre

I was transferring in language that I think applies to Burgundy in a general way. Could be a term of art in Champagne, with a very different meaning.

Concordia wrote:I was transferring in language that I think applies to Burgundy in a general way. Could be a term of art in Champagne, with a very different meaning.

I don't think the word Monopole is used (in French) about Burgundy wines

lambert wrote:

Concordia wrote:I was transferring in language that I think applies to Burgundy in a general way. Could be a term of art in Champagne, with a very different meaning.

I don't think the word Monopole is used (in French) about Burgundy wines

It is. For example, look at a bottle of Romanee-Conti or La Tache; there will be a label stating "Monopole" about midway through the bottle slope.

If you were in Madrid, it seems likely your camarero was referring to the barrel-fermented white Rioja called Monopole made by Cune (La Compañia Vinicola del Norte de España). It is a long-established brand name, made (at least in recent years) of 100% Viura grapes. In Spain you usually see it in tall green German/Alsatian-shaped bottles, in England it's often in a Burgundy bottle. It is a delightful and often undervalued (especially with the durrent fashion for Verdejo whites) wine at a modest price. But it's not a sparkling wine or cava. Here's a UK blurb on it:

http://www.waitrosewine.com/Browse+All+ ... oduct.aspx

If you were served a sparkling wine called Monopole, it was probably Heidsieck Monopole from Champagne, as previously suggested.

As noted, the term Monopole IS used in Burgundy -- the reason it is rarely seen is that there are relatively few vineyards owned exclusively by one owner, due to the inheritance laws which operate in Burgundy. Some even relatively small vineyards may have literally dozens of owners, some of whom may own as little as half a row of vines. In addition to the DRC wines previously mentioned, there is La Romanee ( a Grand Cru vineyard located near the Romanee-Conti vineyard), Clos Blanc de Vougeot, La Grand Rue, Nuits-Saint-Georges ‘Clos De La Marechale', Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley, Vosne Romanee Clos des Reas and many others (I guess up to 150, but they comprise a tiny amount of total Burgundian output). There is also a famous Rhone viogner wine Chateau Grillet, which is not only a Monopole but is its own recognized vincultural (AOC) area, i.e. it has its own appellation.

Thank you all for the replies!

So, my best assumption, then, would be that it was either Heidsieck Monopole or, as couch mentioned, Monopole made by Cune.

The only clue I can give to help try to clear that up is that the bottle was green, tall, and skinny--almost like a half-sized bottle (something I've seen with dessert wines before).

Again, my knowledge of wine and champagne equates to nearly zero, but, does champagne usually come this way? If not, it would seem to me the best guess would be the Cune Monopole.

it was either Heidsieck Monopole or, as couch mentioned, Monopole made by Cune.

The conclusion should be simple if you can recall whether your libation was "sparkling" or "still". If sparklling, it was the Heidsieck; if still, it was the Cune.