TANNAT

Tannic, as the name suggests!

Tannat

Also known as Harriague, Moustoun.

It is a vigorous grape variety giving very juicy grapes with an astringent taste. Originally from the Pyrenean foothills, Basque settlers introduced it to Uruguay in the 19th century where it became the first national grape variety. It gives a powerful red wine with an intense, strong colour, rich in tannins and alcohol. Full-bodied and rough wines that have earned it the label of a "rustic" grape variety, but when well worked, it produces red and rosé wines that deserve attention. United with Cabernet Franc, its best friend, it gives the outstanding Madiran wine. In blends, it brings colour and generosity. Tannat thus forges the character of the wines of the Madiran and the vineyards close to the Ardour (Saint Amont, Irouléguy, Béarn). Somewhat bitter in its youth, it requires several years of ageing to obtain a generous wine that caresses the palate.

WHERE IS IT FOUND?
In France and all over the world

FRANCE

South-West

WORLDWIDE

Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil

MAIN APPELLATIONS
By type of wines: Red and rosé

Madiran, Irouléguy (France), Punta del Este (Uruguay)

Irouléguy, Saint Mont

SHALL WE TASTE?
Merlot in the glass

reds

Very colourful purple or black colour. Nose dominated by black fruits (blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry) and ripe red fruits. Notes of liquorice, humus and undergrowth mingle with barrel aromas (smoky, roasted and vanilla notes). On the palate, it is opulent with dense and rough tannins. The freshness remains at maturity while the tannins melt away. Built for ageing, it evolves towards a beautiful complexity with spicy notes. Serve at room temperature: 16 to 17°C.

ROSéS

Pronounced, it is used to give colour to rosé wine. In the mouth, it brings richness

FOOD AND WINE PAIRINGS
Tannat at the table

reds

Stewed, or marinated meat: leg of lamb, lamb chops, cassoulet, confit and duck breast, game (wild boar). Pyrenean ewe's cheese, Bleu d'Auvergne.

ROSéS

Delicatessen meats (raw ham and dry sausage). Spicy cuisine (paella, small stuffed dishes, tagine. Grilled white meat. Fatty fish (salmon).

OUR TANNATS...

TANNAT
More Information

The king grape variety of Madiran

Produced in the Ardour it enjoys an excellent reputation. It was for a long time the wine of the pilgrims of Santiago de Compostela.

60% to 80% of the regions production, which expresses itself with strength on the clayey-limestone and siliceous soil mixed with fine gravels, which explains the power and structure of this full-bodied wine.

It is complimented when blended with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Fer Servadou.

Some of these wines have a short vatting period and are supple, fresh and fragrant: they are intended to be drunk young.

But most of the production is matured in barrels for several years. When mature, these wines ripen with flair onto spicy notes. Having become silky, they caress the palate.

Related search terms: Tanat, tana, tanna.