Tannat

[1] Tannat is also grown in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, South Africa, and in the Italian region of Apulia, where it is used as a blending grape.

In France, efforts to solve the harsh tannic nature of the grape led to the development of the winemaking technique known as micro-oxygenation.

Today it is often blended with Pinot noir and Merlot and is made in a variety of styles including those reminiscent of Port and Beaujolais.

From Uruguay the vine spread to Argentina and from there Flying Winemakers promoted the grape's resurgence in California at the end of the 20th century.

Vineyards in Uruguay have begun to distinguish between the "old vines" that are descendants from the original cuttings brought over from Europe and the new clones being produced today.

The newer vines tend to produce more powerful wines with higher alcohol levels but less acidity and complex fruit characteristics.

In north-central Washington State, within the Lake Chelan AVA, a small but impressive planting (C R Sandidge Wines Purtteman Estate vineyard) has been producing varietal Tannat.

In 2002, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives approved Tablas Creek Vineyard's petition to add Tannat to the list of grape varieties that could be made into a varietal wine.

Tannat grapes
A Tannat wine from Uruguay.
Tannat prior to veraison .