Yes, Kanensas wines are wine messages in a bottle

Tsantali Vineyards and Wineries produce Kanenas wines from grapes grown at their Maronia Vineyard. Spaswinefood has discovered that Kanenas wines tell amazing stories. I would call these stories, wine messages in a bottle. Since ancient times people have been fascinated by the idea of finding a message in a bottle. Perhaps even more fascinating is the idea that the wines from the Maronia Vineyard have also been described as a myth in a bottle. The label on the Kanenas wine bottle tells a story:

The myth goes something like this, the Cyclops Polyphemus trapped Odysseus in a Maronia cave. In order to escape Odysseus offered Polyphemus the most precious Maronian wine. Polyphemus in return blinded Odysseus but allowed him to escape from the cave. As Odysseus was escaping Polypheus asked "who is it?". Odysseus response was “no one (Kanenas in Greek)”. Hence it is quite fitting to call the wines from Maronia Vineyard “Kanenas”.

Recently my Spaswinefood journey has led me on a quest to learn about Kanenas wines. Greek wines, with their impressive history, fascinating myths and indigenous grape varieties are indeed a perfect wine journey. What I have discovered is that Kanenas wines are in fact wine messages in a bottle.

Maronia Vineyards © Photo Courtesy of Tsantali Archives

Maronia Vineyard Wines
Tsantali’s Maronia Vineyard, overlooking the Aegean Sea in Thrace, is stunning. The vineyards have been described, as resembling the shape of a large amphitheatre. Grapes grown in the Maronia Vineyard include the white grapes Malvasia, Muscat of Alexandria, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc; and the red grapes include Grenache Rouge, Merlot and Syrah. The indigenous grapes grown in this vineyard include Limnio and Mavroudi. Wines produced in this region are within the Ismarikos Protected Geographical Indication.

Maronia Vineyard © Photo Courtesy of Tsantali Archives

Check out the myth on the back label of  Tsantali's Kanenas red 2009 © Spaswinefood

Kanenas Wines

I would like to introduce the two Kanenas wines that I tasted. The two Kanenas wines were Kanenas white 2012 and Kanenas red 2009.

Tsantali's Kanenas red 2009 and Kanenas white 2012 © Spaswinefood

Tsantali's Kanenas white 2012 and Kanenas red 2009 © Spaswinefood

Kanenas white 2012: The Kanenas white 2012 is a blend Chardonnay and Muscat of Alexandria. In the separate vinification process for each grape variety attention is paid to its uniqueness. In particular air is excluded from the processing of the Muscat of Alexandria to preserve the delicate aromas. Special care is also taken with the Chardonnay prior to blending. This special care shows in the tasting giving it inviting aromas and an amazingly pleasant taste. It was love on first taste with this wine.

Tsantali's Kanenas white, Maronia Vineyards 2012  © Spaswinefood

Kanenas red 2009: Kanenas red 2009 is produced from the indigenous grape variety Mavroudi is blended with Syrah, an international grape variety. The blend of this specific dry red wine is 50% Mavroudi and 50% Syrah. The Mavroudi is what gives this wine such a pleasant and unique taste. While you can easily pick up the special aromas on the nose it is the taste that captured my attention. I can definitely see why the cyclops was smitten by this wine. Given that wine can take some aging it will be interesting to explore this effect.

Tsantali's Kanenas red, Maronia Vineyards 2009 © Spaswinefood

The history of vineyards in Maronia, Thrace date back over 3,000 years. Today's Tsantali Maronia Vineyard obviously continue the tradition of producing great wines.

Maronia Vineyard © Photo Courtesy of Tsantali Archives

It has been so much fun exploring the wine messages in Kanenas wine bottles. When I am not exploring wine bottle messages I am off exploring Spaswinefood happenings. I just know there must be a wine goddess/god calling me to taste more Greek wines or visit a vineyard soon. Spaswinefood is looking forward to more stops along the Greek Wine Trails. Check out my travels at Spaswinefood, 

Sharon

July 2013

Los Gatos, California

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Spaswinefood was provided the samples used in this article. Inquiries about the purchase of these wines in the US can be made at Fantis Imports Inc. (Fantis Foods).