Most people think of Cabernet Sauvignon when they want a bold red wine.

But there’s another grape that has higher tannin, and almost no one is talking about it.

In this video, we’re breaking down Tannat: where it comes from in Madiran, how it became the signature grape of Uruguay, and why it’s now gaining traction in places like Texas.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

0:20 Tannat is from Madiran France

0:51 Micro-Oxygenation: The winemaking technique designed specifically for Tannat

1:31 How Tannat spread from France to Uruguay to the World

2:25 Why Tannat thrives in hot climates like Texas Hill Country

3:32 Opening up Augusta Vin Tannat

3:46 What makes Tanna one of the most tannic grapes

4:17 The science behind Tannin- polyphenols, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins

6:09 Where Tannat gets it's name

6:41 Tannat Tasting

If you’ve only been drinking Cabernet, this might be the grape that changes your mind.

You’ve probably never heard of Pinot Meunier… but if you’ve ever had Champagne, you’ve definitely tasted it.

Pinot Meunier is one of the three main grapes used in Champagne, alongside Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, yet it rarely gets the spotlight. In this video, we're breaking down what Pinot Meunier actually is and why it's about time it gets some of its own attention.

We’ll talk about how Pinot Meunier is being used in both France and the United States, including tasting a bottle from Eyrie Vineyards in Oregon, one of the pioneers of American Pinot Meunier.

The truth is, some of the most important grapes in wine are the ones nobody talks about.

Intro: 0:00

Pinot Meunier is from Champagne 00:17

What is Pinot Meunier 1:06

Pinot Noir vs Pinot Meunier 1:37

Where is Pinot Meunier grown? 2:05

Tasting Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Meunier 2:52

Pinot Meunier is fun! 3:45

Coffee in the morning. Wine at night.

But what about espresso-infused wine?

Today I’m trying a Vidal Blanc ice wine that’s been infused with espresso beans, and it raises a bigger question: how far can winemakers push the boundaries of wine?

Vidal Blanc is a hybrid grape known for its high acidity and cold-hardy vines, which is why it’s commonly used for ice wine in colder regions like Ontario, New York, and Michigan. Ice wine itself is made from grapes that freeze naturally on the vine, concentrating the sugar and flavors when they’re pressed. The result is an intensely sweet wine balanced by bright acidity.

Adding espresso beans takes that balance even further. The bitterness of the coffee cuts through the sweetness of the ice wine in a way that almost tastes like liquid tiramisu.

This is exactly what I love about independent winemakers: the willingness to experiment, take risks, and create something totally unexpected.

Wine doesn’t have to follow the rules to be good.

Subscribe for more American wine stories, hidden regions, and grapes you’ve probably never heard of.

Chapters

0:00 Espresso ice wine?!

0:35 What is Ice Wine

2:06 What is Vidal Blanc

3:21 Tasting Coffee-infused wine tasting

5:03 Why experimental wines matter