Episode 3: Riot in Pink - Rebellious Rosé Wines

When most people hear rosé, they think poolside sipping, pink florals, or a cheeky glass at brunch. But here at Blackthorn, we know that rosé has a far more radical history—and an even more rebellious future.

In Episode 3 of the Renegade podcast, “Riot in Pink: Rebellious Rosé Wines”, we’re smashing stereotypes and taking you deep into the wild world of pink wine. Spoiler alert: not all rosés are created equal, and many are far from delicate.

What We Cover in This Episode

1. Under-the-Radar Rosés with Depth & Savory Soul
   We highlight lesser-known bottlings that break free from the cliché of pastel petals and sweetness. These are savory rosés—drinks with structure, terroir, and attitude, perfect for the summer solstice and beyond.

2. The Women Winemakers of Tavel
   We shine a spotlight on two remarkable women winemakers from Tavel, exploring how they’re repopulating their vineyards with new ideas, harnessing the region’s powerfully expressive palate of Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre. They’re challenging the status quo, one bottle at a time .

3. Why Rosé Isn’t Just “Pink & Fun”
   We bust the myth: rosé can age, it can be savory, it can carry serious presence. This isn’t about sweet sippers—it’s about holding space for rosés with substance and lineage.

What Makes Tavel & These Rosés Riot‑worthy

• Single-appellation focus: Tavel is France’s only appellation for rosé, and its full-bodied, age-worthy wines have been overlooked for too long

• Bold flavors: Think peppery Grenache, rich tannins from Mourvèdre, and texture from Cinsault skin contact. These are rosés with bite and backbone.

• Feminine energy, fierce approach: The women in Tavel we profile aren’t just winemakers—they’re cultivators, innovators, and storytellers, bringing new life and perspective to one of France’s oldest rosé regions.

Rosés Featured in the Episode

While we didn’t name most of the brands directly, we riff on styles like:

• Savory, age-worthy Tavel (Grenache-led, structured)

• Wild, under-the-radar rosés with skin contact and savory spice

• Heritage reds-lightly-blended rim — rosés that walk the line between red and pink

These are the rosés that surprise your palate and challenge expectations.

This Episodes Featured Wine: 

2022 Clendenen Family Mondeuse Rosé 

Why All This Matters for Wine and Culture

This isn’t about rosé as a fun fling—it’s about rosé as rebellion.
Tavel’s women are flipping the script in a region steeped in tradition, using their power to reshape wine norms. Their work reminds us that pink isn’t inherently innocuous—it can be profound, boundary-pushing, soulful.

Join the Rebellion

If you’re ready to drink differently—and learn along the way—subscribe to the Renegade podcast wherever you get your audio. New episodes drop every Wednesdays, with bonus episodes for Vault subscribers over on Substack.

This month’s theme:
🌸 Through the Fire: The Alchemy of Rosé & Skin Contact Wines
We’re exploring transformation, resistance, and the wild beauty that comes from time spent under pressure.

→ Want the wines we’re drinking delivered straight to your door? Check out The Ritual Box, our curated wine subscription full of soul, story, and surprise.

→ Need a deeper wine education without the snobbery? The Art of Drinking: A Wine Course for Rulebreakers drops in September.