Native to the south of France and widespread in Europe and South America.


1- Tannat. Originally from France and planted in America.

The Tannat variety is native to the Pyrenean vineyard.

It is registered in the Catalog of vine varieties of France and in other countries of the European Community: Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Portugal.

It is widely cultivated, under the name of Harriague, in Argentina and Uruguay where its production exceeds that of France and where it is the main variety.

It is also grown in Brazil.


The Denominations of Origin in France (AOC) where the Tannat variety is grown are:  

  1. Béarn
  2. Cahors
  3. Côtes du Brulhois
  4. Floc de Gascogne
  5. Irouléguy
  6. Madiran
  7. Saint-Mont
  8. Tursan

2- Synonyms:

This variety is also known as:

  1. Madiran (Adour basin),
  2. Moustroun in the Bordeaux region and
  3. Harriague in South America.

3- Characteristics of tannat grape bunches:

Bunches

Clusters of medium to large size, compact, cylindrical and winged, with a long peduncle.


Berries:

Small to medium sized berries , spherical or slightly elongated.

Fine skin , dark violet red to bluish black.

Juicy pulp , with a herbaceous flavor.


Strains:

Quite vigorous and productive.

Medium bloom, medium season maturation.

4- Ampelographic description of the Tannat variety:

  1. Sumidades with significant density of lying hairs.
  2. Young reddish leaves with tan areas.
  3. Adult dark green leaves, large, pentagonal in shape, with three to five lobes, the central lobe is elongated.
  4. Little open and even closed leaf sinuses.
  5. Medium pigmentation in the nerves .
  6. Underside with medium density of lying hairs.
  7. Round berries .

5- Agronomic characteristics of the Tannat grape variety:

– Sensitive to mites and leafhoppers.
– A little sensitive to gray rot.
– Long pruning and trellising are recommended.


6- Oenological potential of Tannat grapes:

Tannat produces wines with a lot of color , very tannins and nervous with a certain acidity.

  • Rough when young, they are softened by aging , in oak barrels and aging is recommended.
    This variety makes it possible to produce quality red wines .
  • The aromas present are raspberry, blackberry …
  • Tannat can be used in blends with Cabernet Sauvignon or Fer-Servadou.

7- The Tannat wine tasting:

In sight:

Intense to opaque red wines.


On the nose:

Powerful, with aromas of blackberries, cassis, black cherry, wood, undergrowth, red meat.


In mouth:

Strong, acidic and astringent if it is young, it softens with aging.

Oak and Tannat: This wine has to be aged in oak barrels to lose its acidity and astringency.

Profile and character of Tannat: This variety produces powerful wines with an intense color. They are structured, nervous and very tannins. If they are young, they are quite astringent, aging between 5 to 10 years in oak barrels is necessary.


8- Tannat Wine Pairing: 

These wines, from 5 or 10 years old, are drunk “chambré”, with spicy and fatty foods that hide their hardness when they are young.

They perfectly accompany the cuisine of the south-west of France (lamb, mushrooms, confits, haricots tarbais, magret de canard, cheeses).

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