Area classified as Cru (top appellation) exclusively for rosé wines in the southern section of the Rhône. It has a long tradition, as the French kings Philip the Fair (1268-1314) and Louis XIV (1638-1715), the popes of Avignon, as well as the writers Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) and Frédéric Mistral (1830-1914) were already lovers of this "king of rosé wines". The vineyards cover almost 1,000 hectares of vines on the right bank of the Rhône in the municipality of Tavel, as well as in some parcels in the municipality of Roquemaure in the Département of Gard. The red wine varieties Calitor, Carignan Noir (Mazuelo), Grenache Noir (Garnacha Tinta), Mourvèdre (Monastrell) and Syrah, as well as the white wine varieties Bourboulenc, Clairette and Piquepoul Blanc are permitted for the always dry rosé with a maximum alcohol content of 13.5% by volume. Carignan may be used up to a maximum of 10%, all others up to a maximum of 60% each. The rosé wine, which is one of the best in the world for this type of wine, is characterised by an oily, spicy taste. Well-known producers are Château d'Aquéria, Domaine Corne-Loup, Domaine la Forcadière, Domaine la Genestrière, Guigal, Domaine Lafond, Domaine Maby, Domaine de la Mordorée, Prieure de Montézargues, Château de Trinquevedel, Le Vieux Moulin de Tavel.
The glossary is a monumental achievement and one of the most important contributions to wine knowledge. Of all the encyclopaedias I use on the subject of wine, it is by far the most important. That was the case ten years ago and it hasn't changed since.
Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena