Tavel (Gard)
Tavel is a commune in southern France and a wine region in the département of Gard. The municipality with 1834 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) and an area of 1996 ha is located about 15 km north- west of Avignon and 20 km west of Orange, at an altitude of 86 m above sea level. NN. Archaeological excavations have shown that the area in the 6th -2. Millennium BC was inhabited. The discovery of a Roman villa near the wine cooperative and finds of grape seeds and wood remains of a wine press the wine show at the time of the Romans.
In 1636, there are first land entries of vineyards. Tavel soon established himself as one of the best rosé wines in France. In the 19th century, just before the infestation of phylloxera 700 hectares of vineyards were planted.
Today the community of tourism, viticulture and the breakdown of limestone lives (a kind of marble with the names Tavel Tavel Rose and Bleu ).
Viticulture in Tavel
Tavel received in 1936 the status of an Appellation d' Origine. On 948 acres exclusively rosés are grown. These wines are in France at the best roses ever and find themselves in the best restaurants on the wine list. Open only to vineyards within the commune of Tavel and some plots in Roquemaure.
Within the appellation, a distinction three soil types:
- Le Terroir de Lause: white limestone pieces are loose on a layer of clay. These soils with low earnings provide fresh wines.
- Le terroir of galets: up to 30 cm thick gravel layer lies on a layer of clay. It involves prehistoric deposits of the Rhône similar to Châteauneuf -du -Pape. The wines have strength and structure.
- Le Terroir de pieds de pente sur sable et cailloutis: simple sand and clay, formerly overgrown with wild bushes Barrens. These soils were developed due to the success of the wine in order to increase the amount. These soils provide very light wines.
The rose wines have max. 13.5 ° alcohol and combine freshness with a concentrated flavor. The always- dry rosé made from Grenache, Cinsault (both at least 15 -. Maximum 60%), Syrah, Mourvèdre, Clairette Blanche, Bourboulenc, Piquepoul Blanc, Carignan (all 10% max. ).
The prices of the wines are sometimes unjustifiably high. The wines of the neighboring village of Tavel are often a cheaper alternative, especially because good wineries have possessions both in Tavel and in Tavel.
45 % of the approximately 40,400 hectoliters of wine to be marketed by the cooperative in Tavel, the other 55 % share 34 direct marketers. 20 % of the wines are exported and 40% of the wines are (not bottled ) in drums sold.