Wine of the Week

The roses of Tavel are famous enough that their reputation often outstrips their quality. This Tavel is everything it should be--flowery, bone-dry, refreshing--at a great price. The color is a vibrant rose, the flavor complex enough to stand up to all sorts of food. In warm weather, open a bottle as an aperitif to accompany a riot of vegetable salads and first courses. Or serve it with grilled fish and roast chicken. It’s a charmer.

About $12. Available at Larchmont Village Wine & Cheese in Los Angeles, (323) 856-8699; Malibu Wine & Cheese in Malibu, (310) 456-2924; The Wine House, (310) 479-3731 and Wally’s in West L.A., (310) 475-0606; Duke of Bourbon in Canoga Park, (818) 341-1234; and Vintage Wines Limited in San Diego, (858) 549-2112. If you can’t find this wine, have your local retailer call the distributor, Angelus Wine Agency, (818) 764-2221 .