Tannat

Tannat – The tannic force with a South American heart

Tannat is one of the most tannic red wine varieties in the world. Originally from Madiran in France, it has found a second home in Uruguay, where it is now considered the national grape. Tannat stands for wines with a dark color, powerful body, high tannin structure and remarkable ageing potential.

In France, Tannat is earthy, rustic and demanding, while the Uruguayan varieties are characterized by more fruit, drinkability and elegance. The use of modern vinification techniques (micro-oxygenation) in particular makes the wines smoother and more accessible.

Typical aromas: blackberries, blackcurrant, cocoa, tobacco, leather, dark chocolate

🔹 French Tannat (Madiran AOC): Compact, austere, with present tannins, ripe fruit and earthy spice.
🔹 Uruguayan Tannat: Softer, fruitier, with melting, velvety tannins and notes of dark fruit & spice.

Tannat is perfect for grilled meat, game dishes, hearty meals and mature cheese – in other words, anything with flavor, warmth and structure.

➡ Which dishes go particularly well with Tannat? Here are the best combinations!

🥩 Tannat & dishes – The best food pairings

1️⃣ Powerful, rustic Tannat (e.g. Madiran AOC, France)

Taste: Tannic, deep, with tart fruit & earthy complexity.
Typical aromas: blackcurrant, leather, tar, dark chocolate, cedar wood

✅ Best food pairings:
✔ Game dishes & stews → Wild boar ragout, braised beef, cassoulet
✔ Hearty, spicy classics → Lentil stew with bacon, pepper steak, beef ribs
✔ Mature hard cheese & charcuterie → Comté, mountain cheese, pepper-crusted salami

➡ Recommended recipes:
– Braised beef with root vegetables
– Cassoulet with duck confit & sausage

2️⃣ Fruity, elegant Tannat (e.g. Uruguay, Cafayate/Argentina)

Taste: Harmonious, fruity, with supple tannins and southern warmth.
Typical aromas: blackberry, plum, mocha, vanilla, tobacco

✅ Best food pairings:
✔ Grilled & BBQ → Entrecôte, grilled vegetables, burgers with blue cheese
✔ South American cuisine → Asado, empanadas with meat, black beans with beef
✔ Strong cheese & smoked sausage → Provolone, smoked chorizo

➡ Recommended recipes:
– Asado with chimichurri sauce
– Empanadas with beef & pumpkin

3️⃣ Matured or barrique tannat (e.g. reserve wines from Uruguay or Madiran)

Taste: Full-bodied, structured, with ripe fruit, spices & long finish.
Typical aromas: Dried plum, cocoa, oak, licorice, rosemary, black tea

✅ Best food pairings:
✔ Fine game dishes & fine cuisine → Saddle of venison, duck breast, braised veal cheeks
✔ Spicy braised dishes & truffles → Oxtail ragout, lamb with rosemary, truffle gnocchi
✔ Dark chocolate & liquorice → Chocolate tart, chocolate and liquorice mousse

➡ Recommended recipes:
– Braised veal cheeks with truffle puree
– Chocolate tart with sea salt

🔍 Tannat & food pairing at a glance

Tannat style	Best food pairings
Rustic Madiran tannat	Stews, game, pepper steak, mature cheese
Fruity Uruguay tannat	BBQ, asado, empanadas, Mediterranean spice
Matured barrique tannat	Noble game dishes, truffles, chocolate, veal cheeks

📍 Tip: Choose Tannat for powerful dishes with structure – this wine needs culinary resistance!

🚀 Conclusion: Why Tannat goes perfectly with powerful cuisine

Tannat is a real character wine with power and depth. Whether as rustic Madiran, fruity Uruguay Tannat or mature Reserve – this grape variety calls for intense dishes with structure and spice. A wine for connoisseurs with taste! 🍷🍖

➡ Which combination did you like best? Discover all the matching recipes here! 😊🚀