£12, Tesco
Tavel in the southern Rhône is France's only appellation (AOC) to produce rosé exclusively and it's never afraid to be bold in flavour and truly pink in colour. I loved Julie Rouffignac's Arbousset last summer, recommending it in one of my rosé roundups, and have tasted it twice since, most recently in January, and can confirm that it's lost nothing of its zip, character and all-round appeal.
It's a classic Tavel blend of Grenache (60%) with Syrah and Cinsault and it's dark, dry and fairly full-bodied with succulent strawberry/raspberry fruit shot with a pinch of peppery spice and almost chewy, orangey freshness.
It's vegetarian and vegan and is a good rosé for caponata and veg such as roast aubergines, peppers, tomatoes and butternut squash, including sprinkled with dukkah and other spice/seed mixes. It's a match for grilled/barbecued pork and lamb and the cold leftovers, and it's good with chorizo and charcuterie. I'm tempted to try it with a light prawn curry next time. 13.5%. Empty bottle weight: 549g.
Should the weather be making you resistant to rosé, Tesco also has an Arbousset red from the southern Rhône – a Lirac – which is equally good and the same price.
Arbousset Tavel Rosé 2021, Tavel, Rhône, France
£12, Tesco
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