The latest vintage of an ‘oddity’ from the D.O. Valencia. Ceramic Monastrell Criado en Tinaja 2021, from the well-known Vicente Gandía winery, is a red made from Monastrell grapes that has embraced the trend for maturing wine to perfection in earthenware vessels. Savour the essence of grapes from old Monastrell vines, one of the best Spanish varieties, in this unique, prizewinning red that was awarded a bronze medal at the 2024 International Wine & Spirits Competition.

Consumption features

Serving temperature

17º C

General features

Type of wine

Red Wine

Region

Valencia

Grape variety

100% Monastrell

Type of bottle

Truncated cone

Capacity (cl)

Alcohol content (% vol.)

14.5

General Information

Thanks to the good work of wineries like Vicente Gandía, Monastrell has come to enjoy pride of place among Spain’s best native grapes. The star variety in the southeast coastal area of Spain, it’s the ingredient of Ceramic Monatrell Criado en Tinaja 2021, a red whose name, Ceramic, from the ancient Greek keramiké (‘made of clay’), is a reference to its unusual ageing method. It was grown on old, dry-farmed vineyards, the most valuable kind, and has been aged for 11 months in oak barrels and further matured in earthenware jars.

Founded in 1885 in Valencia, Vicente Gandía is one of the largest and most important wineries in the Valencia region and is now present in nine of Spain’s leading Denominaciones de Origen. But the firm remains true to its origins and is currently run by the fourth generation of the family, with Javier Gandía as general manager. Its facilities are equipped with the latest technology, and sustainable practices are implemented in the vineyards (850 hectares, a mixture of the firm’s own and others it controls).

It still honours its original values: to contribute to the progress and wellbeing of society by striving for quality and innovation, without neglecting tradition. Its commitment to the art world is another of its characteristics. Its wines, modern in style, are created from both international and local varieties such as Bobal, and are excellent value for money. The winery also has a very international outlook as its wines are sold in more than 90 countries.

Ceramic Monatrell Criado en Tinaja 2021 (D.O. Valencia) is ideal with pork, matured cheeses, pasta, pâtés and lamb.

Creators' opinion

Deep, dark red with vivid red edges. The nose is notable for its aromas of ripe cherries, liquorice, coconut and vanilla. Full on the palate with sweet, elegant tannins and hints of ripe red fruit.

The winery

Winery

Vicente Gandía

Winemaker

Familia Gandía

Founded in 1885 in Valencia, Vicente Gandía is one of the largest and most important wineries in the Valencian Community, and today is present in nine of the most renowned Spanish designations of origin. A company that, on the other hand, maintains its family origins and is currently led by the fourth generation, with Javier Gandía as General Manager. It has facilities equipped with the most advanced technology, while in the vineyard (850 hectares, both owned and controlled) it is committed to sustainable cultivation. It remains faithful to its founding values: contributing to the progress and well-being of society by focusing on quality and innovation, without forgetting tradition. Its commitment to the world of art is another of its defining characteristics.

Its wines, with a modern style, are made with international varieties as well as native ones, such as bobal, and are characterized by offering an excellent quality-price ratio. Furthermore, it is a winery with a clear international vocation, with its wines present in more than 90 countries. In 2014, Vicente Gandía was recognized as the best Spanish winery by the prestigious international competition AWC Vienna. Additionally, that same year, the World Association of Wine and Spirits Journalists and Writers included it as one of the 50 best wineries in the world in its annual list.