Micro-oxygenation is a process used in
winemaking to introduce
oxygen into
wine in a controlled manner. Developed in 1991 by Patrick DuCournau, working with the exceptionally
tannic grape
Tannat in
Madiran, the process gained usage in modern winemaking following the 1996 authorization by the
European Commission. Today, the technique is widely employed in
Bordeaux, as well as at least 11 different countries, including the
United States and
Chile.