Wine of the week: Domaine du Tariquet Ros

tariquet roseWhat’s the perfect wine for rose week here on the blog? How about a rose from the Wine Curmudgeon’s favorite Gascon producer, Domaine du Tariquet?

Tariquet, of course, is the Gascon producer that introduced me to the wonders of ugni blanc and colombard in a cheap white blend. And the Tariquet rose ($10, sample, 12%), if not exactly the wine I expected, is another delicious cheap wine that demonstrates the Tariquet ability to deliver low prices and high quality.

Why not the wine I expected ?Because it was much fruitier (watermelon?) than I thought it would be, given it’s French and not from California or Washington state. However, since it has merlot and syrah among its four-grape blend, that shouldn’t be surprising. This makes the Tariqet rose more New World than Old, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a terrific cheap wine. There is still balance, freshness, and a surprising amount of fullness and length for a $10 rose.

My only complaint? I’m not sure what vintage is for sale, and how available the wine will be this spring. Though there is a retailer in this area that carries the wine, it’s almost an hour away in Fort Worth. This sample, a 2012, came last fall from the importer, who was probably trying to get rid of inventory. Hopefully, most of us will be to find the wine more easily than I can, and will find a newer vintage.

Highly recommended, and almost certain to join the Tariquet white blend in the $10 Hall of Fame next year assuming I can find a more recent vintage.

4 thoughts on “Wine of the week: Domaine du Tariquet Ros

  • By Bobby Cox -

    Hey let’s beat the drum a little harder for those folks growing adapted varieties like Trebbiano (Ugni Blanc) in Texas. We are taking heat for not being a Chardonnay State

    • By Wine Curmudgeon -

      Preaching to the choir here, Bobby.. you know how I feel about ugni blanc and chardonnay in Texas.

  • By Nick Vorpagel -

    Hey Jeff – we’re going to be tasting this for an upcoming Facebook Live winetasting and when I Googled the wine to find a page to share about it, I found you! You’re doing some SEO something right! Also, picking good wines!!

    • By Wine Curmudgeon -

      Thanks, pal. Tariquet and brats are one of those things that go together perfectly.

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