With everything on lockdown, I’m still managing to get my crossfit in. Yes, at a home gym aka my wine-drinking deck, but it’s a decent place to get my sweat on. After a workout these days, instead of avoiding alcohol because of the calories, I treat myself with a nice glass of vino. It’s the least I could do for myself 😉

The latest sweaty sip was Château d’Aqueria 2018 Tavel. Tavel is situated in the southern end of the Côtes-du-Rhône across the river from Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The soil is characterized by hillocks of sand over a chalky clay subsoil, very well-drained, arid and without limestone content. The growing season is long and intense, with sunny summers yielding fruit of extraordinary ripeness, concentration and richness in sugar.

In 1595, the monks of the Abbey of Villeneuve-les-Avignon transferred a large portion of their landholding northeast of Avignon, on the right bank of the Rhône River, to a citizen and aristocrat of Avignon, Louis Joseph d’Aquéria. This district, known as the “puy sablonnier,” or “sandy hill,” covered the east-central quarter of what was then and is now Tavel. Aquéria planted vines there and built a residence at the beginning of the 1600s, and the area became known by his name. Over the next two centuries the vineyard remained productive but was sold and subdivided many times—at the beginning of the 18th century the present chateau was constructed.

Chateau d’Aquéria is now owned by the son of Jean Olivier, Paul de Bez, and his sons Vincent and Bruno, who at the end of the 1980s renovated the vinification facilities and cellars with the addition of stainless-steel fermentation tanks and exact temperature control over wines in storage.

This Rosé is made from 45% Grenache, 20% Clairette, 15% Cinsault, 8% Mourvèdre, 6% Syrah, 4% Bourboulenc & 2% Picpoul. The color is beautiful, like dark salmon, pink jolly rancher goodness. It has notes of strawberry, raspberry, and white fruit. It’s dry and has a savory quality to it. Totally delicious and perfect as a post-workout treat. I got it from 305 Wines for under $20. I have to get some more.