THEWINEMONOLOGUES.COM: Can Feixes !?! Huh?

Can Feixes !?! Huh?

Can what? Yea, that's what I said when I saw the label. Had to look twice to see it was from Spain (I took French in high school—not that it helps me with bottles of Burgundy or Bordeaux, but I digress). I was visiting with Kristin Jonna at Vinology in Ann Arbor and we were talking about customers coming in and trying new wines. She said that for her Chardonnay lovers, she will recommend this "Chardonnay" for them to try. After they taste and tell her that the wine is good, they also add that it does not taste like the "usual' Chard. She then smiles and tells them its not. In an effort, to get them to "try new things", she tells her customers that the Can Feixes (cahn FAY-shuss), is a "Spanish white" with Chardonnay in it. The truth though, is that its only a small part of the Spanish blend. Can Feixes Blanc is actually comprised of Parellada (40%), Macabeo (34%), Chardonnay for structure (20%) and Malvasia (6%). www.wine-searcher.com

Parellada is mainly grown in the Catalunya region of Spain, although also widely planted in the Penedes region. It is mainly used as a blending wine in the production of Cava. Macabeo is Spain's most planted white grape variety and is also a popular variety in the Roussillon. Chardonnay produces the white wines of Burgundy as well as being widely planted in the rest of the world. It is used in blends and varietal wines. Malvasia is a name widely used in Iberia and Italy for a number of different grape varieties, all ancient and with a Greek origin. The wines are usually white but some red is also made. www.winesearcher.com

Spain is the third largest wine producing nation in the world, occupying the majority of the Iberian Peninsula with vast diversity inclimate, culture, and of course, wine. From inky, dark reds of the Priorat to dry, white Finos from Andalusia, Spain can easily boast of elaborating a wide variety of notable styles. Within Spain there are currently 62 demarcated wine regions, of which a handful have gained international recognition: Rioja, Priorat and Ribera del Duero. Yet these regions are only a small sample of the high quality wines Spain produces. Regions such as Cava, Penedes, Somontano, Galicia, Rueda and Jerez are only a few of the numerous regions worthy of exploration throughout Spain. Spain can also lay claim to having the most land "under vine" in the world, growing up to, by some accounts, 600 indigenous varietals of which Tempranillo is their most well known. www.Catavino.net

Can Feixes is produced in the Penedes region of Spain. Vineyards have been planted at Can Feixes since 1400. The estate hascontinuously produced wine since 1690 and the Huguet family acquiredthe property in the early 1900s. The historic estate is situated ongravelly slopes above the 400-meter level near the famous Montserratpinnacle, which forms Penedes' northern boundary. www.canfeixes.com

The Can Feixes Blanc is a straw colored wine that has clean citrus aromas of lemon and lime,followed by fresh citrus fruit flavors. There is also an underlyingnote of minerality and wet stone that is very precise and direct. It showsuncommon complexity for a wine at this price (@$16.00). Light-bodied but full offlavor, a delight. Enjoyed it with a middle eastern themed dinner and loved it! Go out and find this one all you Chard lovers, or if you live near Ann Arbor, stop into Vinology and ask for it by name. I think Kristin would be surprised that you can pronounce the name on the label and happy that you are expanding your palate.