The striking design of the Monkey Bottle pays homage to the unusual name of its home region: "Affentaler" (Valley of the Monkey). This name derives not from our furry simian friends, but rather from the Cistercian monks who first began cultivating Pinot Noir here over 700 years ago. They built a wayside chapel near the vineyards, and the pilgrims' cries of "Ave Maria" led the locals to refer to it as the "Ave Tal" (Ave Valley). Over time this mutated into "Affental.” The idea for the Monkey Bottle was born in 1949. In the intervening 60 years, the Monkey Bottle has progressed beyond just a unique design – it is a symbol for wines from the Affentaler vintners. Shows a dark red, is tasty, powerful with a rich aroma of cherries and forest fruits, to a strong yet harmonious body with fruity body and delicate sweetness. It goes very well with pasta and pizza, strong dishes with fruits, e.g. Game dishes with cranberries, duck sweet sour or toast, wild terrine, poultry and beef dishes.