2025 Château d’Aqueria Tavel Rosé ($25)

Château d’Aqueria is the largest estate of Tavel. It has been making wines in Tavel since the end of the 16th century.

While Tavel is a specific wine region in France, the region only makes one highly distinct style of wine. So, the name "Tavel" is also used to refer to the type of wine itself.

Tavel was the first appellation created in France (1936).

Unlike the ultra-pale, light rosés, Tavel wines undergo a longer grape-skin maceration (often 12 to 72 hours). This gives them a dark pink or ruby hue, higher tannins, and rich, spicy, berry flavors. It is often referred to as a "rosé for red wine drinkers.”

This Château d’Aqueria Tavel is made from grapes that are handpicked from Château d’Aqueria’s own vineyards. They are then destemmed, followed by a maceration to extract color. The varieties, Grenache (50%), Syrah (20%), Clairette (10%), Mourvèdre (10%), Cinsault (5%), and Bourboulenc (5%) are blended two by two to enhance aromatic complexity. The grapes are then pressed before the fermentation undergoing temperature-controlled maceration and fermentation in stainless steel vats for 15 days. This wine sees no malolactic fermentation and no oak contact. A second blend took place in December before bottling.

Château d’Aqueria Tavel is a beautiful deep pink color that is nearly red. It has delicate aromas of strawberry and candied cherry. On the palate, it medium-light bodied rosé is bone dry (little or no residual sugar) at 14% ABV, has medium acidity and finishes with great red fruit flavor.

If Tavel rosé is something you’ve never tried, now is the time. It’s perfect intersection of red and wine wines, therefore pairing well with most foods. It’s a great wine at a very affordable price. That’s the criteria for being a Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Château d’Aqueria via Kobrand Wine and Spirits