Grape variety : Tannat

Tannat: Origins and Characteristics of This Unique Grape

Tannat, a very dark red grape with a bold character and a rich history, is a genuine rising star in the world of wine. Native to the South-West of France, it has found a second home in Uruguay, where it flourishes in a new light. Known for its robustness and its powerful tannins, Tannat is at the heart of intense, structured red wines that gain in finesse and complexity over time. Follow this guide to discover the origins of Tannat, its aromatic characteristics and its favorite terroirs, and explore the best food-and-wine pairings to create with a bottle of red or rosé wine made from Tannat.

Description and Origins of Tannat

Tannat traces its origins to the steep slopes of Madiran, in the South-West of France, where it has been mentioned since the 18th century. Suited to mild, humid climates, this grape stands out for its thick-skinned berries, the source of its marked tannins. Although it originally comes from the Pyrenees, Basque settlers introduced Tannat to Uruguay from the 19th century onward. In Uruguay, Tannat is today the country’s leading grape and has found an ideal land of expression. It benefits from a sunnier, more temperate climate, which softens its tannins and reveals a rich aromatic palette, with notes of black fruit, licorice and spice. Long regarded as a rustic red grape, Tannat produces wines of great elegance and complexity when it is well handled. This speaks to the adaptability and the potential of this grape, capable of producing powerful wines for cellaring as well as more approachable, fruity cuvées to enjoy in their youth.

The Main Terroirs Where Tannat Is Grown

Tannat is without question the emblematic grape of AOC Madiran, in the heart of the South-West of France. This terroir, known for its clay-limestone soils and its temperate climate, encourages the full and complete expression of Tannat, allowing it to develop its imposing tannic structure and its intensely fruity aromas. Although some estates produce more supple, fruity cuvées, Madiran remains synonymous with robust red wines, where Tannat expresses all its power and its aging potential. Besides Madiran, Tannat is also grown in other appellations of the South-West of France, such as AOC Cahors, AOC Irouléguy, AOC Tursan and IGP Côtes de Gascogne. Beyond France’s borders, Tannat’s adaptation to the milder, sunnier climate of Uruguay has brought out a more supple, fruity side of the grape, while preserving its tannic signature.

Tannat’s Aromatic Characteristics

Tannat’s Character in a Red Wine:

Tannat’s Character in a Rosé Wine:

The Best Food Pairings with Tannat

Follow all our tips for creating the best food-and-wine pairings with a bottle of red or rosé wine made from Tannat:

• For a regional, traditional pairing with duck confit or cassoulet, turn to a red wine from an estate or château in AOC Madiran or AOC Cahors. These appellations produce magnificent cuvées that are both full-bodied and complex, and that will surely elevate these iconic dishes of the South-West thanks to their spicy notes.
• With a confit gizzard salad or crab verrines, don’t hesitate to open a bottle of rosé wine from an estate or château in IGP Côtes de Gascogne or AOC Tursan. Its delicate aromas of redcurrant, raspberry and peony will bring freshness to these indulgent dishes.
• For an original pairing with a lamb tagine with prunes, dare to serve a red wine made from Tannat from a château or estate in AOC Tursan or AOC Madiran. The sweet, spicy flavors of this North African dish pair wonderfully with the aromas of ripe fruit, spice and the velvety tannins of Tannat.

Whether you want to enjoy a fine bottle of red AOC Madiran wine or treat yourself to a bottle of rosé from an AOC Tursan estate as an aperitif, discover our selection at Avenue des Vins. In our online shop, all our wines are available for home delivery, shipped directly from the estate or château of your choice and at the best value for money! Whether you’re looking for a red wine made from Tannat or any other wine, we’re sure to have the bottle you need!

Tannat, the King of Madiran

If one appellation has made Tannat’s reputation, it is Madiran. Here the grape gives robust, deeply colored red wines whose imposing tannic structure comes straight from its thick-skinned berries. These are powerful wines made for cellaring, and they gain in finesse and complexity over the years. Beyond Madiran, Tannat remains the signature grape of the South-West of France, where it also shapes the reds and rosés of appellations such as AOC Cahors, AOC Irouléguy and AOC Tursan.

Serving and Cellaring a Tannat Wine

A red Tannat is best served between 16 and 18 °C, a temperature that lets its ripe black fruit and its firm tannins express themselves fully; a Tannat rosé, lighter and more refreshing, is served cooler. Thanks to its concentration and its powerful tannic structure, red Tannat also has real aging potential: kept lying down, away from light and heat, the most structured cuvées gain in finesse and complexity over the years. To keep exploring, browse our red wines.

Frequently asked questions about Tannat

Is Tannat a red grape?

Yes. Tannat is a powerful red grape from the South-West of France, best known as the emblematic grape of AOC Madiran. It produces intense, deeply colored and very tannic red wines, as well as fresh, fruity rosés.

What does a Tannat wine taste like?

A red Tannat wine has a deep, almost black color and a rich nose of ripe black fruit (blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry), licorice, tobacco and spice. On the palate it is powerful and structured, with firm tannins balanced by a marked acidity and a long, lingering finish.

Which appellations are made from Tannat?

Tannat is the signature grape of AOC Madiran, in the South-West of France. It is also grown in AOC Cahors, AOC Irouléguy, AOC Tursan and IGP Côtes de Gascogne, and it is the leading grape of Uruguay.

At what temperature should you serve Tannat?

Serve a red Tannat between 16 and 18 °C to showcase its black fruit and its firm tannins. With its concentration and tannic structure, it also has real aging potential and gains in finesse and complexity over the years.