2022 ChevernyDomaine du Salvard
France | Loire
$22
Producers
This ruby-colored southern Rhône Valley rosé is from Tavel, the only appellation devoted exclusively to rosé production. Deep and complex, it could be treated like a red and described similarly: black cherry, tart cranberry, woodsy spice. But the texture of La Combe Des Rieu is distinctly more delicate and thirst-quenching in a way that a red (with more tannin) could never imitate. Crushed strawberry and wet stone on the palate—I love to pair it with extra-dry saucisson and creamy cheeses, or, for the main course, try it with pork tenderloin on a bed of warm polenta.
Wine Type: | Rosé |
Vintage: | 2020 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan |
Appellation: | Tavel |
Country: | France |
Region: | Southern Rhône |
Producer: | Gaël Petit |
Winemaker: | Gaël Petit |
Vineyard: | Planted in 1950s, 1976, 1.42 ha |
Soil: | Limestone scree, clay |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 14.5% |
Gaël Petit France | Southern Rhône | Tavel
Selected by Kermit Lynch France | Southern Rhône | Côtes du Rhône
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône | Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Château de Trinquevedel France | Southern Rhône | Tavel
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône | Vin de Pays de Vaucluse
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône | Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Gaël Petit’s family history is deeply intertwined with that of Tavel. Records show his ancestors inhabited the quaint, sunny Provençal village across the Rhône from Châteauneuf-du-Pape as far back as the 16th century, practicing viticulture for generations leading up to present day. His great-grandfather, a former mayor of Tavel and head of the local vigneron union, even played an important role in the foundation of the Tavel AOC, having outlined the production area eligible for France’s first rosé to receive appellation status in 1936.
The southern Rhône valley is Grenache country. It’s also known for its stones. With a viticulture history dating back well before the Popes arrived in the 12th century and one of France’s oldest appellations d'origine contrôlée, Châteauneuf-du-Pâpe, the southern Rhône is unquestionably one of France’s best known and premier winegrowing regions. The wines have the pedigree and age-worthiness of Burgundy and Bordeaux, but with a rustic, Mediterranean character. Like most wines from southern France, the reds, whites, and rosés are blends. Filling out the Grenache for the reds and rosés, you’ll often find Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. The common white grape varieties are Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Viognier, Roussane, and Marsanne among others. From the alluvial riverbed stones found in Lirac, Tavel, and Châteauneuf to the limestone cliffs of the Dentelles de Montmirail that influence Beaumes-de-Venise (where you’ll find excellent Muscat), Vacqueyras, and Gigondas, great terroir abounds.
Kermit’s entrance in the region came in the mid 1970s on his first trip with Richard Olney, an American ex-pat and friend of Alice Waters. On that trip, Richard introduced Kermit to the Brunier family of Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe. Soon after, Kermit began importing the Brunier’s wines—their Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau” bottling remains a staple of our portfolio today. In the late 1990s Kermit teamed up with the Brunier family to purchase the famed Gigondas estate, Domaine Les Pallières. More than 40 years later, we now import wines from fifteen southern Rhône domaines spanning the entire area of the region.
Château de Trinquevedel France | Southern Rhône | Tavel
Château de Trinquevedel France | Southern Rhône | Tavel
Maxime François Laurent France | Southern Rhône | Côtes-du-Rhône
Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône | Vacqueyras
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône | Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Achard-Vincent France | Southern Rhône | Clairette de Die
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône | Gigondas
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône | Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône | Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Gaël Petit France | Southern Rhône | Tavel
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône | Vin de Pays de Vaucluse
Selected by Kermit Lynch France | Southern Rhône
Let the brett nerds retire into protective bubbles, and whenever they thirst for wine it can be passed in to them through a sterile filter. Those of us on the outside can continue to enjoy complex, natural, living wines.
Inspiring Thirst, page 236
Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/alcohol
Many food and beverage cans have linings containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical known to cause harm to the female reproductive system. Jar lids and bottle caps may also contain BPA. You can be exposed to BPA when you consume foods or beverages packaged in these containers. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/bpa