From the call of Tavel
(Cru since 1936) to the

Association internationale
des Rosés de Terroirs (AIRT)

In February 2020, Cru Tavel made its founding call: “Terroir Rosés, unite!”, considering that rosé has become a wine in its own right but has yet to find its place in the world of terroir wines and that there are more terroir rosés today, but that their visibility and perceived value remain insufficient. In the months that followed, a pioneering group of winemakers was formed with the ambition of supporting and even accelerating the recognition of terroir rosés. On the 19th of March 2021, the AIRT was created in Tavel by some twenty winemakers from all over France, with the objective of favouring the creation, enhanced value and development of a genuine market segment dedicated to this type of rosé.

Today, there is clearly a new dynamic, with many new candidates eager to join the AIRT. In the space of 3 years, some 80 winemakers have applied, and this is only the beginning. There are now some fifty winemakers and cuvées in the association, from France, Italy Spain and Italy. Iconic terroir rosés have joined, alongside a new generation of winemakers. The association considers that a terroir rosé must be qualitative, complex but also striking and original, thanks to its natural location (specific features) as well as to its winemaker (personality, talent).

This dynamic is a game changer in the world of rosé wines. For terroir rosés, both supply and demand are growing in France and on a number of foreign markets (in particular in the United States), in addition to a demand for trendy rosé wines that began in the 2000s. Journalists, sommeliers, chefs, wine merchants, distributors and importers are gradually taking an interest in this new theme, as demonstrated by the success of the « rosés de terroirs experiences » organized by AIRT since January 2023.

On December 13, 2022, the AIRT even approved the creation of the world’s 1st cellar dedicated to the ageing of terroir rosés. Starting in 2024, members of the association will deposit a few bottles of their new vintage in the cellar. Regular tastings will then enable the potential of these rosés to be monitored over time. Even better, AIRT’s partner chefs and wine merchants will be able to keep their selection of « collector’s rosés » in the form of allocations.

Philippe GUIGAL*, president of the AIRT:

« I invite the winemakers who craft the greatest terroir rosés in the world to join us ».

« The ambition of our association is to be the ambassador of the world’s great terroir rosés. Therefore, in accordance with our founding call of February 2020, “Terroir Rosés, unite!” launched by the Tavel AOP, I invite the winemakers who craft the greatest terroir rosés in the world to join us.

After 20 years of historic growth, the rosé market is now entering a new phase in its development, with an opportunity to diversify the rosé wines we offer, in particular through terroir rosés which occupy a position on a high-value niche market. The creation of a collector rosé segment, including wines with cellaring potential of up to ten years, could even be considered.

My view is that terroir rosés are real wines first and foremost. Through their tastes and colours, they tell stories of places and of winemakers that are often unique, but they also pair beautifully with meals and with extremely varied cuisine as shown by the “terroir rosé, a rosé for chefs” experiences moderated each month by the association. In addition, terroir rosés are not intended to follow fashions. They are timeless rosés that assert their uniqueness. The diversity of the wines co-opted by the association is therefore essential. Finally, terroir rosés are crafted to allow them to gain complexity after several years of cellaring. By creating the world’s first cellar consisting of collector rosés, I’m convinced that our association will become a reference in this field. In light of their character and consumption mode, terroir rosés are a genuine complement to trendy easy-drinking rosés.

In this context, our international association can and must take the lead in offering rosés that are “different and surprising, by nature and over time”, to quote one of our slogans ».

*owner of Château d’Aquéria in AOP Tavel (France)

FRANCE

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