Dear //FirstName//

Mid-winter is upon us here in the valley and the clear blue skies which have meant a worrying lack of rain for farmers have conversely been a bonus for the many visitors who descend on the Barossa to partake in the great winter sport of red wine tasting. Clear skies have also made for frosty nights which in turn stimulate our subconscious to seek hearty foods and wines to match. With this in mind, I seek to both entertain and educate in acquainting you with one of our alternative varieties, Tannat.

Tannat is the main grape variety of the Madiran wine region at the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains in South Gascony, South West France. The French/Spanish border region was also the traditional home of the Basque people who took the variety with them to Uruguay in the early 1800s, leading to that country becoming the largest producer of Tannat in the world today. Its thick skins and subsequent high tannins typically made for very concentrated wine requiring several years of aging to be at its best. Indeed to soften its tannic nature it was often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in France while Uruguayans tended to use Pinot Noir or Merlot for the same purpose. More recently winemakers have looked to produce softer single varietal wines that are more approachable in their youth. This was certainly Paul’s (our Chief Winemaker) approach resulting in a medium bodied wine with the mouth filling juiciness of cherries and strawberries flowing through to a spicier, savoury dry finish.

In terms of culinary matches, in France it is classically served with duck, duck or duck! Generally speaking it drinks well with roasted meats, game and even strong cheeses. Basically any fatty or salty food that will help subdue the tannins.

While these lovely ‘winter food’ matches may sound like a coronary waiting to happen, they may well be more than offset by the wine. The health conscious among you will be pleased to know that Tannat is considered to be the healthiest red wine. Why?  Warning, Science Content: Its thick skins produce particularly high levels of procyanidins, polymer chains of flavonoids (plant compounds/phytonutrients) said to be good for reducing blood pressure, lowering cholesterol and protecting collagens. Perhaps its no coincidence that in spite of the region’s rich diet, South West France contains more than double the national average of men in their 90s.

As if all of this isn’t reason enough to buy a bottle or two, as our minds turn to the recent end of financial year and all that it entails, it is perhaps serendipitous that 17th and 18th century French kings accepted Madiran wines as payment for taxes. For a wine of such pedigree $30 a bottle is a steal in itself but follow the link to discover the advantages of a multiple bottle purchase. 

Kind regards as always

Jonathan Bitter
Cellar Door Manager 

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