Funny thing is, you couldn’t have a paint named “Rhone Pink” because they come in a variety of colors! Though you probably COULD have a “Tavel Tint” or even a “Provence Pink” paint…or nail polish! Could someone please make me a Tavel nail polish? It would prove my point that pink is the ultimate in goth.
Which is neither here nor there–I’m just here to say that you want to drink Rhône rosé.
And good on you! Seriously, Provence gets so much glory (deserved) but also THE spotlight (not undeserved, but they could share the podium). The Rhône deserves a glass at the table. These two wines I’m showcasing show the main Rhône genres I’ve crossed paths with: Tavel and Côtes du Rhône. Tavel is Dark Pink (like Darth Plagues but not evil). The Côtes du Rhône typically not SO dark but also not Provence pale (also a potential nail polish name, OPI call me).
That is enough waxing poetic on the color. Let’s get to tasting!
2023 Domaine de la Mordorée Tavel, the deeply colored vixen, was more fruit-forward than I expected, though not in a bad way. I actually took it to a WSET Diploma alumni blind-tasting party (we wine people are CRAZY) with a chilled-reds-or-deep-rosés theme. A lot of people thought it was a New World wine. Although not in a bad way. If you know the wine side of my personality, you might know what a Tavel obsessive I am. It is an AOC in the Southern Rhône that ONLY makes rosé. And it must be a deeply hued one!
2023 Chateau La Canorgue Luberon Rosé is a lighter pink, with accents of coral creeping in. It is on the mineral-driven, more earthy side, lilts of floral white pepper and sweet citrus sneaking like rivelets of rain through the rock. It is from Luberon, which is in Provence. This is nearly equal parts Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre, juicy, earthy, a little spicy, and healfully acidic but silky. Yum. Finishes red-fruit and florals forward, a bit of juicy fruit and also some Juicy Fruit. Punches above its weight, price-wise.
I would drink Tavel like water if I could but that could be hazardous so I alternate with other Rhône rosés. Jk I also drink water but I am a fan of this genre. DOOOOOO IT!