Fresh fish & a glass of white Rioja – the perfect pair

This meaty, fragrant monkfish has found its match with a glass of 2017 Blanco from Viña Izadi. Chargrilled and served with olive oil mashed potato, anchovies and sauce vierge, this dish sings when paired with a glass of aromatic Spanish white Rioja.

Located in Villabuena in Rioja Alavesa, the highest part of Rioja, this prominent winery was opened by Gonzalo Anton in 1987. After working for a long time in the hospitality business, Gonzalo wanted to bring his own idea of Rioja to the table. All of Izadi’s vineyards have traditionally trained bush vines – a method which they believe gives better exposure of the grapes which, in turn, leads to a certain level of ripeness producing softer, fuller wines.

The light oakiness of this white Rioja supports the meaty texture of the tail, while Gonzalo’s unusual blend of Viura, Malvasia, Garnacha Blanca and Turruntes, from some of the oldest vines dating back to the 1950’s, creates distinctive and memorable aromatics. The freshness of this wine supports the saltiness of the anchovies and capers, and the acidity of the tomatoes is balanced perfectly, cementing the strength of this classic Mediterranean pairing.