2021 TAVEL, Château D’Aqueria. Southern Rhône

Tavel, on the banks of the Rhône, is the one French appellation dedicated to only rosé wine. Interestingly, the regulations dictate a minimum 12 hour maceration on the skins, keen to retain the deep colour that has always been the area’s trademark.

Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Bourboulenc. So, about a third white grapes (unusually for a rosé). Fermented and aged in stainless steel, to retain freshness.

Aqueria is a large estate of 70 hectares (around 150 acres), now owned by the prestigious négociant, Guigal.

Unusually deep in colour (by the ubiquitous standards of today’s pink contingent). It certainly has plenty of fruit, but it remains resolutely dry and fresh. A food rosé, if ever there was one.