Is Tavel France’s best rosé wine? Perhaps -- it is undeniably France’s most famous rosé and it is reassuring to see that someone still makes darker, full-bodied rosés in a market dominated by the fashionable pale rosés, so much in vogue for the past couple of years.

Tavel rosé is made only in the commune of Tavel, located just north of Avignon, and is the only wine of the appellation. The absence of red wine is compensated by full-bodied style rosé with minimum alcohol content of 11%.

   

There are three types of soil in Tavel: limestone, rolled rocks (galets roulés) and flat sandy rock; the limestone terroir produces the lowest yields resulting in deep aromatic wines.

The predominant red grapes of Tavel are Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvedre; Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul are the predominant white grapes.

 
The 2010 Domaine des Carteresses rosé from Cave de Tavel is a blend of 50% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 13% Clairette, 12% Picpoul and 10% Syrah. The wine exhibits aromas and flavors of fresh red berries, strawberries and lavender, full-bodied with a long lasting finish and no residual sugar (14% alcohol). The wine is currently available at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits for $12.99, best value for Tavel ever!

Enjoy it as aperitif or pair with your favorite summer salads, grilled meats and fish.

Atanas Nechkov, Central Florida Wine Supervisor