Sitting down to a variety of Tannat wines at 9 am for a recent Wines of Uruguay seminar had my palate a bit cautious as it was early in the morning for tasting what is traditionally a bold, powerful variety.
The inky, deeply colored red grape is known for its highly tannic qualities, producing wines with concentration, strength, and mouth-watering astringency. The high tannin is due to the number of seeds in each grape, five versus three in other red varieties. The additional seeds give the grapes high levels of antioxidants; however, they can also lead to bitterness if the wine is enjoyed too young.
However, once we began tasting, my fear of palate fatigue quickly subsided as producers in Uruguay were redefining the production of Tannat. By practicing restraint, picking earlier, and using less oak, some of Uruguay’s Tannat producers are creating luscious wines with freshness, lovely acidity, juicy fruit, and balanced tannin, including the three wines noted below.
Their approach is impressive as the sun-loving variety can easily deliver a high-alcohol wine with a punchy, powerful character. Instead, these selections are food-friendly and balanced, perfect to enjoy any night of the week. #Cheers
The idea of chilling a Tannat wine would never have occurred to me until I tried Juanicó Don Pascual Coastal Tannat. After popping the red wine in the fridge for a bit, I was delighted to enjoy a balanced wine with luscious notes of wild strawberry, fresh wildflowers, and a mineral note of saline, thanks to the influence of the Atlantic on coastal vineyards in San José, Canelones and Maldonado. Where you think you will need to pair Tannat with beef or rich game, this is a red wine you can easily enjoy with a fish stew or grilled salmon.
From higher-elevation, sustainable vineyards in the Cerro Chapeu region of Rivera, Bodega Cerro Chapeau Castel Pujol Folklore Tinto blends 80% Tannat a copigmentation from 20% Petit Manseng first press skins, delivering a wine that has luscious red plums and cherries, blackberries, dried herbs, and crushed stone, with bright acidity that melds with balanced tannin. and a rich, well-rounded palate.
Winemaker Gabriel Pisano uses his Viña Progreso Winery to redefine the norms of what some would consider the traditional, particularly when it comes to Tannat. His Viña Progreso Overground Revolution Tannat embraces everything that we hope for in a New World, modern Tannat wine. Though the deeply colored selection has rich, ripe, powerful fruit, it is balanced by freshness, keeping the wine interesting and the drinker engaged sip after sip. The aromatic wine layers black cherry, berry, and toasted spice with juicy, meaty, savory notes that linger on the palate.
Red Wine With Breakfast 