Tavel

In many ways, the Tavel wine region has created an all-encompassing brand for itself. In France, “Tavel” has become synonymous with Rosé for its exceptional production of deep, flavorful, resonant, and luminous Dry Rosé wines. Tavel wine appellation produces only Rosé wines and must contain a minimum of 11% alcohol. The 933 hectares of vineyards are spread around the town of Tavel yielding 42 hectolitres Rosé per hectare. 

The Rosé of Tavel is historically famous and has been a favorite of kings Philippe le Bel and Louis XIV, the Popes of Avignon, the 19th-century novelist- Honoré de Balzac, and the 20th-century writer- Ernest Hemingway.

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Where is the Tavel wine region?

Tavel wine appellation is in France, in the southern part of the Rhône wine region embracing the Rhône river in the north and east. Tavel wine appellation is located around the town of Tavel bordered by Orange in the Northeast, Chateauneuf du pape AOC in the east, and Avignon in the southeast. The Rhone river encompasses the region separated by the Orange and Chateauneuf du pape region. 

History of Tavel wine region

Tavel wines have a long history dating back to Roman times. Vine cultivation in this area was introduced by the Greeks and developed by the Romans vines as the region was midway between the Roman settlements of Roquemaure and Nimes. The wines of Tavel were said to be a favorite of Philip IV and the sun king, Louis XIV. In the early 14th century, Pope Innocent VI, who was fond of quality wines, moved to Avignon. The Popes promoted the wine industry and uplifted the wines of Tavel. Immense improvement in winemaking technique took place as the region grew its reputation. The wine of Tavel was prestigious and was also exported to Italy in huge quantities. 

The region was recognized as Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée in 1936 soon after the system was introduced.

The terroir and geography of the Tavel wine region

The Tavel wine region has a Mediterranean influence with dry summer and cool wet winter. The region experiences mistral wind due to its proximity to the mediterranean sea. The Tavel wine region can be divided into 4 parts according to the soil and topography. First, in the hills of Lirac and Tavel, the soil is in the form of alluvial deposits by the Rhone. Second, the areas leading to Roquemaure are mostly sand, formed in mid-Pliocene times. Areas around Rochefort du Gard make up the third part with limestone marl deposits and finally the areas of Les Angeles and Villeneuve-Les-Avignon with clay and gravel limestone. 

Popular grape varieties from the Tavel wine region

Although the Tavel AOC allows nine grape varieties to cultivate within the area, Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah dominate the region. Other red varietal includes Mourvedre, Carignan, and Calitor. The region allows three white varietals - Clairette, Picpoul, and Bourboulenc- to grow in the region but has strict regulations that they should be pressed along the red grapes. 

Tavel wines are specialized in dry rosé wines that tend to have more body and robustness compared to other rosés. The wines of Tavel are usually consumed when young.

Food to pair with Tavel wine 

Ratatouille

This colorful regional vegetable dish is a simple, meatless dish that is usually made with a bounty of fresh vegetables like courgettes, eggplants, green and red peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and parsley. The term ratatouille is an old Occitan word for tossing or stirring. Vegetables are first simmered with simple seasoning like salt and pepper, sometimes olive oil. Then it is tossed and stirred up resulting in a colorful vegetable dish. 

The dish became popular after the 1930s and by the 1980s, Ratatouille became the staple is every dinner party. This dish is simple and versatile enough to be enjoyed on its own or served along with toasted garlic bread, grilled meat, lamb, and chicken. 

Chicken Tagine

Chicken Tajine is a traditional Moroccan dish of chicken pieces usually with bones like legs, thighs, or drumsticks. Like many other tajine dishes, the chicken is prepared in a tagine, a shallow clay vessel with a conical lid. The chicken is smothered with spices, onion, garlic, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemons. The whole dish is seasoned with cumin, saffron, coriander, or parsley making the chicken rich and fragrant. Chicken tajine is often served with bread on the side.

Soupe au pistou

This French delicious vegetarian soup borrows its essence from a traditional Italian pesto, Soupe au pistou is a famous regional soup made with fresh seasonal ingredients like carrots, potatoes, beans, squash, peas, long green beans, or any other available vegetables.

Pasta is usually added to the soup for the texture. The star ingredient in this dish is pistou, a french paste made with olive oil, garlic, basil, and sometimes grated cheese. The paste is usually placed on top of the soup which is later swirled for the taste. 

Places to visit in the Tavel wine region

Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres

Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres is a picturesque village on the northeast side of the Gard department in France. At the center of the village lies historic monuments with mazes of alleyways and the romanesque church of Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres. The village of Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres is one of the touristic sites with historical, archaeological, and geological importance in the middle of the countryside. 

The fortified Church of Saint-Laurent is said to be renovated by Pope John XXII to its original roman style in the 14th church. The ancient castle keeps, the Tour Jacques-Deuze is very well maintained with gothic architecture.

Saint-Victor-la-Coste

The village of Saint-Victor-la-Coste is in the Tave Valley in the Occitania region of southern France. The town hall sits in the center of the village with a handful of wineries, B&Bs, and a 19th-century fountain with an obelisk dedicated to maths and learning. The town was believed to be a part of the medieval domain of the Sabran family. Visit Le Castellas,  an 11th-century church and a 13th-century fort, restored by La Sabranenque.

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Frequently asked questions about Tavel