In these series of interviews I will interview many enthusiastic people who are involved in the canned wine business.
WITH WHOM DO I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF SPEAKING?
My name is João Henriques and I am the co-founder of the Can-U brand based in Portugal. CAN-U is a brand of canned wine and sangria. This is an innovative concept that aims to bring quality, simplicity and practicality to all those who appreciate wine. CAN-U are Portuguese wines and sangria, uncomplicated and easy to drink, the better solution to bars, to terraces, to the beach, to take to parties, festivals and concerts, or to accompany a picnic, in a relaxed way. The can, still seen by some like an avant-garde idea, is a practical option for drinks that should be consumed young. CAN-U is for everybody. CAN-U is practical, easy to carry, easy to open and very easy to drink.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND IN WINE?
I like wines, but I am not professional. I did some training (wine introduction, level 1 and 2).
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WINE IN A CAN?
We describe our wines in a can like wines that could be enjoyed with a meal, but also in a relaxed way, as we can drink them in the beach, in swimming pool, in a festivals, picnics, concerts, etc. Our red is a blend of Aragonês & Syrah and is made by total destemming and control of fermentation temperature. The wine is clear with a garnet color and violet nuances. The wine has an intense nose with a lot of red fruits and strawberry jam. In the taste the wines shows these aroma’s as well, has a full-body and is balanced and persistent.
Our white is a blend of the native grapes from Portugal; Fernão Pires & Trincadeiras das Pratas. The wine is clear with a citrine color. The wine has an great nose with a lot of tropical and citric fruits. In the taste the wines shows these aroma’s as well, is very fresh, intense and balanced. Excellent to serve with fish and seafood, as well as an aperitif. I want to give you an inside in these native grapes from Portugal, which are great for canned wine! The Fernão Pires grape (also called Maria Gomes) produces floral white wines. They are fresh, fruity and aromatic, with blossom, acacia and spice. Wines to drink young, as an aperitif, with lightly spiced snacks or with fried fresh sardines.
Trincadeira das Pratas is a light-skinned grape variety mainly used in blended white wines, particularly the Estremadura, Ribatejo and Setubal wine regions. Its primary role is to bring perfume and delicate flavor into a blend. Trincadeira das Pratas vines bud and ripen early in the growing season, making them susceptible to spring frosts, but Portugal’s warm, sunny climate means this is rarely a concern.
TASTING NOTES OF THE WINE CAN GUY
‘When I tasted the red I was blown away by the complexity, the spiciness and the full body. Absolutely amazing. Especially as it is very difficult to have a good quality wine in a can, job well done!’
‘The white wines has a bit more body then expected, which I really well done. It is fresh and fruity and has a great bite for excellent food pairing!’
WHY ARE YOU IN THE CANNED WINES INDUSTRY?
As wines are one thing that we like, this was the way to have our own brand and the starting of our experience in the world of wines. We know this could be a good market in future, not to substitute the bottles, but as a complement.
HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE OF CANNED WINES?
We think that canned wines will be a trend, because of the practicability that we can have with a can. We believe canned wine will have their place in the market once people change their way of thinking. Once we try it we become fans. We would like to tell people not to judge canned wines before they try it. It won’t be the end of bottled wines, it’ll be the beginning of canned wines. Two different products, two different concepts.