Tavel AOC

Infobox Wine Region
name = Tavel
type = AOC
year = 1936.
country = France
part of = Rhône wine, Côtes du Rhône
climate region = mediterranean
precipitation =
soil = chalky gravel, fluvial sand, sandstone, red clay, quartzite shingle
total size = 933 ha (approx.)
planted = 933 ha (approx.)
grapes = Grenache, Cinsault, Clairette white, Clairette rosé, Morvèdre, Picpoul, Calitor, Bourboulenc, Mourvèdre, Syrah,Carignan
wine produced = Tavel AOC

Tavel is a wine-growing AOC in the southern Rhône wine region of France, across the Rhône River from Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC and just north of Avignon. Tavel only produces rosé. The wines must have a minimum alcohol content of 11%. The 933 hecatres produce an average yield of 42 hectolitres per hectare [Syndicate return 2004.]

The wine is reputed to have been the favourite rosé of kings Philippe le Bel and Louis XIV, the Popes of Avignon, [Inter-Rhône] and the great Nineteenth Century novelist, Honoré de Balzac. [ Robert Joseph, "French Wine". London: Dorling Kindersley, 2005, p. 261.] Its product "La Rose de Tavel" is deemed by many to be the '1st rosé of France'.

It is an exceptionally clear, light to medium pink colored wine, with a fragrance of delicate fruit, flowers and nuts (almond, hazel). It is consumed chilled and can be drunk at any time. It will accompany deserts such as ice-cream and fruit, salads and light meals in white sauce.

ee also

*Rhône wine
*French wine

Footnotes