The red grape variety originates from France. Synonyms are Bordelais Noir, Madiran, Madiron, Mouston, Moustron, Moustrou, Moustroun, Tanat, Tannat Gris, Tannat Noir, Tannat Noir Femelle, Tannat Noir Male (France); Bordelez Beltza (Spain); Harriague (Uruguay). It was first mentioned in 1783 under the name Tanat in the probable area of origin, Département Hautes-Pyrénées. The ancestry (parentage) is unknown. According to DNA analyses, there is possibly a parent-offspring relationship with the Manseng Noir variety. Tannat was a crossing partner in the four new varieties Achemoyeta, Arinarnoa, Artzebat and Ekigaïna. It is also a parent of the Négret de Banhars variety, which was created by natural crossing. There is also a light-berried variety called Tannat Gris.
I have great respect for the scope and quality of the wein.plus encyclopaedia. It is a unique place to go for crisp, sound information on terms from the world of wine.
Dr. Edgar Müller
Dozent, Önologe und Weinbauberater, Bad Kreuznach