Comparison
Agiorgitiko vs Tannat
How Agiorgitiko and Tannat differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Tannat has more tannin; Agiorgitiko has more spice; Tannat has more earthy character.
Choose
Tannat
Choose Tannat if you want something more tannic and structured, earthier, fresher and more acidic.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Tannin
Clear differencePhenolic compounds from grape skins, seeds, stems and oak. The principal structural axis of red wine.
Tannat is more tannic and structured: high against medium.
Spice
Clear differencePepper, clove, cinnamon and related spice notes, whether from the grape (as with rotundone in Syrah) or from oak.
Agiorgitiko is spicier: medium against low.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Tannat is earthier: medium against low.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Tannat is fresher and more acidic: medium-plus against medium.
Body
Clear differenceThe overall weight and viscosity of the wine in the mouth — a composite of alcohol, sugar, extract and glycerol.
Tannat is fuller and richer: high against medium-plus.
Savoury character
Clear differenceNon-fruit, umami-adjacent character: meat, leather, olive, soy, broth, cured notes. Often increases with age.
Tannat is more savoury: medium-plus against medium.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Fruit intensity: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
- Oak influence: Similar — both medium.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Agiorgitiko | Tannat |
|---|---|---|
| Tannin | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Spice | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | low (1/5) |
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Texture | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically medium, ranging from low to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Floral character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 15–17°C | 16–18°C |
| Typical flavours | red plum, black cherry, sweet spice, dried herbs, nutmeg | blackberry, plum, smoke, licorice, dark chocolate |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Grape
Agiorgitiko
Greece’s most planted red variety: deeply coloured, soft-tannined and generous, from Nemea in the Peloponnese.
Grape
Tannat
One of the most tannic wine grapes in commercial use, native to south-west France and the national variety of Uruguay.
Comparison
Tannat vs Malbec
The two South American reds most likely to be on the same shelf, and readers want to know which is the softer bet.