Tavel

France · AOC · Rhône Valley

Styles

Natural factors

Appellation covering 2 communes (Tavel and Roquemaure, Gard), in the Rhône corridor 15 km north-west of Avignon.
An argillo-calcareous combe in an Urgonian syncline, infilled during the Pliocene with marls and clays; terra rossa soils covered with reflective white lauzes. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Plateau de Vallongue (~120 m): a high terrace of roughly 1-million-year-old rounded stones, with red fersialitic soil over pudding-stone conglomerates and north–south-oriented vines.
Sandy slopes (Pliocene sands, few pebbles): poor soils planted to vine before the expansion of the 18th century.
Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers, annual rainfall of 700 mm (very low at ripening), with the vineyard swept by the Mistral. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

Human factors

The vines of Tavel are mentioned as early as 897 in a property-exchange deed, and Pope Innocent VI had wines brought from the priory of Montézargues.
Tavel is one of the first AOCs to be recognised (decree of 15 May 1936); its growers' syndicate, founded in 1902, is one of the earliest French wine-defence associations. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

Product characteristics

A structured rosé with a deep, blood-red colour; aromas of fresh red fruits evolving toward liquorice, spice, and flint.
The palate is full and round, with a long, intense aromatic finish supported by spicy notes.

Terroir / wine link

Berry shrivelling before red phenolic maturity is reached, making rosé vinification the only viable approach given the terroir's water and heat stress.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.