If you ever wondered whether rosé can reflect the intensely stony and herbal nature of southern Rhône terroirs in the same way that our favorite reds from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, or Vacqueyras can, this Tavel from Château de Trinquevedel offers a clear answer: yes! It’s no surprise, after all, as showcasing rosé’s vast potential to live up to a special terroir has been the raison d’être of the Tavel appellation since its creation in 1936. One of the region’s two cru AOCs located west of the Rhône river (neighboring Lirac is the other), Tavel is also the valley’s lone appellation dedicated entirely to rosé production. Featuring the quintessential cast of southern Rhône grapes—starring Grenache, with support from Clairette, Syrah, and Cinsault, among others—and planted in a similar terroir as Châteauneuf’s well-draining sand and sun-reflecting rounded river stones known as galets roulés, Château de Trinquevedel’s rosé is delicious evidence of why the Tavel appellation is so distinctive and integral to the Rhône. Stony, spicy, and dense, it evokes red berries, watermelon, and garrigue and offers a beautiful accompaniment to a wide range of dishes, from grilled cod topped with tapenade to Tanya Holland’s recipe for grilled shrimp and corn with avocado white barbecue sauce.

You can find Tanya Holland’s recipe here.