Winemaker Notes
Named for its naturally high level of tannins, Tannat is a brooding, rustic, dark red wine that sees its origin in the Madiran region of France. Similar to Malbec’s journey to Argentina from France, Tannat made a similar move in the early 19th century but landed in Uruguay in the hands of Basque settlers. Today Tannat thrives in its warm South American climate, producing a bold, black fruit driven red. Somm Secret—Uruguay producers have the freedom to blend firm Tannat with any other grape whereas Madiran law restricts Tannat’s blending grapes to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and the indigenous grape, Fer.
Among its rugged and diverse landscape, North Carolina’s exciting wine trails boast well over 100 unique wineries. Already abundant in regional food, festivals, art and music, the North Carolina wine experience merges seamlessly with its local culture.
Vineyards appear in three distinct regions: Mountains, Piedmont and the Coast. The Mountains region includes the rugged Blue Ridge Mountains, while the Piedmont region’s art and food culture offers the perfect setting for any wine tour. The Coast remains unsurpassed in beauty and charm. All three regions include official AVAs (American Viticultural Areas).