Tannat

Synonyms: harriague (Uruguay), bordelez beltza (Basque Country), madiran (Adour Valley in France), moustruo, moustroun (France).

Medium ripening variety, quite vigorous. Exceptionally powerful tannins and marked acidity give it a great capacity for aging.

It is grown in several appellations in southwestern France, especially in Madiran where it is the main ingredient of their wines (40-80%), usually accompanied by two cabernets: franc and sauvignon. The wines can show red or black fruit, they are very powerful, formerly they could not be drunk young because of their hard tannicity, highlighted by their high acidity. Its second home is Uruguay, where it has become its flagship. Thanks to the difference in climate, the tannins there are rounder, and it is often blended with softer grapes such as merlot or pinot noir. It gives wines with a high layer, notes of black fruit, licorice and/or minerals; and in the mouth soft, warm and with less acidity than in France.