Avignonesi QX Toscana 2024

Avignonesi QX Toscana 2024, Sangiovese in rosé

I find this rosé an unusual pairing: the freshness of Sangiovese and a woody touch that stays in the background. Its pale pink color suggests a nuanced wine, where pear and grapefruit meet butter and vanilla. A choice for those who like fresh rosés, but with a bit of character.

A Tuscan rosé rooted in its landscape

Avignonesi QX Toscana 2024 is produced in Tuscany under the IGP Toscana designation. Its name refers to the holm oak — Quercus ilex in Latin — an emblematic tree of Mediterranean landscapes. It also pays tribute to Finca Capezzine, one of the vineyards dear to the Avignonesi team, where a large holm oak marks the estate. Virginie Saverys has owned the estate since 2009. The house emphasizes organic viticulture and attention to Mediterranean ecosystems; this wine is also vegan.

The grape is Sangiovese, here vinified as a rosé. The grapes are hand-harvested when they have reached optimal ripeness, then pressed as whole clusters. The must is left to settle cold for about 24 hours. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in used barrels, with selected yeasts, and the wine then ages on fine lees, partly in these same barrels. Wood is therefore clearly present in the winemaking, without erasing the fresh character of the fruit. Since the aging period given varies across the available descriptions, I prefer not to specify it.

In the glass, its delicate pink color invites you to take your time. The nose combines notes of pear and grapefruit with hints of oak, butter and vanilla. On the palate, freshness asserts itself and citrus fruits take the lead, accompanied by a mineral expression. The finish prolongs the tasting, while the fruit and the subtle influence of wood find a balance. The style remains fairly fruity and medium-bodied: there is substance, but it does not seek to weigh the wine down. If you enjoy strictly light rosés with no noticeable aging, this woody touch is precisely the difference to keep in mind.

At the table, from aperitif to simple dishes

I would serve it as an aperitif, then at the table with a risotto, pasta, a composed salad or a pizza. The citrus notes and freshness go well with preparations where the wine can remain lively, while its aging gives it enough presence not to disappear next to the dish. For a relaxed evening or a shared meal, open it without ceremony and let it take the time to reveal its nuances. If you are looking for a Tuscan rosé that combines fruit, minerality and discreet wood, Avignonesi QX offers a distinctive option to explore.