By Dwight Casimere
The history of the Catalans is a literal window into the history of two of Europe’s most populous countries, France, and Spain. The region known as Catalonia stretches between the two countries. Its history dates to the period of Charlemagne and echoes through the time of the Hundred Years’ War.
After the death of King Charlemagne, often considered the Founder of Europe, there began the Holy Roman Empire, which resulted in the division of the Empire into three distinct territories: France, Germany, and Italy.
Raging battles between feudal lords in subsequent years resulted in the eventual formation of the territories we now know as those respective nations. However, the language and culture of the Catalan persists today, irrespective of any national boundaries. Its adherents remain to this day and are fiercely ethnocentric. The language, which is quite difficult, is neither French nor Spanish. Their cuisine, culture is Sui generis-in a category unto itself. The wines, with their entire adherence to both ancient and newly established bio-sensitive technologies, are equally distinctive.
The Pyrenees Mountains separate the Catalonia region between the northeast corner of Spain and southern France. The city of Perpignan is the Capitol of French Catalonia and the largest city before the Spanish border. It is here that we are beginning our journey to Domaines de Nidoleres.
Cultivated by 8 generations of the Escudie family, Domaine de Nidoleres has created wines since 1840. With estate grown grapes of primarily Grenache, the dominant grape of the region, wines are also produced with Syrah and Mourvedre grapes.
International varieties, such as Chardonnay, constitute a small, but coveted, portion of its production.
Domaine de Nidoleres is a flagship winery of the Cotes du Roussillon, one of France’s premiere wine designations, known for the freshness and value pricing of its wines. At roughly $10-$12 dollars a bottle in most retail stores, the wine is an exceptional bargain when weighed against its quality and taste.
A versatile wine, it is equally at home with seafood and lighter meats such as chicken, lamb, and veal. Salads and a variety of cheeses and salamis, hams and sausages are the perfect way to while away an afternoon. They also serve as the start to a sumptuous meal. The wine is bursting with the aromas of fresh cut flowers and abundant flavors of beautifully ripe citrus fruits, which makes it a perfect accompaniment.
Shrimp or chicken kabobs with any mixture of exotic spices are one of the popular ways to enjoy the wines. Sushi and sashimi, or Ceviche is an unrivaled treat!
My preference is to have them with freshly shucked oysters. There is nothing like the crisp, clean taste of this exceptional Chardonnay, which is fermented in stainless steel before being allowed to rest in French oak barrels. The region also uses French oak in combination with cement eggs before bottling, creating a unique characteristic of creaminess in the wine. The latter process is a nod to the Roman winemakers that dominated the region in ancient times.
Experience Domaine de Nidoleres Chardonnay 2021 and experience a taste of history. It’s a small investment to enter a world rich in the cultural heritage of Europe. Drink responsibly.