Château d’Aqueria – Tavel Rosé Paired With The Perfect Springtime Salad

Popular trends indicate that rosé wine is generally pale pink in color and meant to be enjoyed by the pool, on the beach or as a picnic wine.  Tavel rosés break that trend, these rosés are for serious wines lovers.  Tavel rosés are the brightest and biggest of all rosés, they have more weight, structure, complexity and texture than your typical rosés from the south of France.

Tavel wine is a Rhône Valley Cru, and according to numerous gastronomes, it is considered to be the best rosé wine in the world.  On the slopes of the right bank of the Rhône, between the pont d’Avignon and the pont du Gard, lies an exceptional terroir… the “Kingdom of Tavel“.  Tavel wine is not only a springtime wine, but also a wine for the whole of a meal, and one that can be appreciated all year-round.

Château d’Aquereia makes exceptional rosès from Tavel.  The Château has a long history dating back to 1595, Louis Joseph d’Aqueria purchased the land in Tavel from the monks at the Abbey in Villeneuve les Avignon.  In the 18th century, the family built the Château as it stands today.  Over the years, several families took reign of the property, but all maintained its wine-growing vocation.

Châteaux are rare in the Rhone Valley. The château reflects the graciousness of the 18th century, with its façades. For three generations now, the Olivier family has owned and run Château d’Aqueria. Château d’Aqueria is 98 hectares of land of which 68 hectares are vineyards, planted on a single tract of land surrounding the Château.

The Château d’Aqueria Tavel Rosé 2020 is exceptional.  It is a blend of Grenache (45%), Clairette (20%), Cinsault (15%), Mourvèdre (8%), Syrah (6%), Bourboulenc (4%), Picpoul (2%).  This is a serious wine and can be cellared up to five years.  The 2020 has a beautiful intense color that is typical of Tavel.  It is bright red in hue, reminiscent of the color of strawberries.  Aromas of red fruit and spice exude from the glass.  Notes of raspberry, strawberry and pepper fill the mouth.  The wine is big and bold on the palate with great texture and complexity.  The bright acidity makes this a gastronomic wine that can be paired with every course of a meal.

With spring in the air, we paired the Chateau d’Aqueria Tavel Rosè 2020 with a Meditteranean salmon and avocado salad with an incredible zesty lemon dressing.

Château d’Aqueria Tavel Rosé & Springtime Meditteranean Salmon Salad

• Make dressing
• Marinate the salmon in the dressing
• Pan sear the salmon
• Toss all salad ingredients together and top with salmon
• Pair with Chateau d’Aqueria Tavel Rosé 2020

You can also add in sliced marinated artichokes, eggplant, sun-dried tomatoes, or any other ingredients you have on hand!