Story and photos by Christopher J Davies
Have you decided if you should visit Spain or France? Pick Roussillon, where both countries are joined at the hip.
The epicenter is the city of Perpignan. This area is a wine-lovers paradise and was once part of Catalonia, Spain. This boutique region is known for the native varieties Grenache (Noir, Blanc, and Gris), Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Carignan—these result in excellent, robust still white, rosé and red wines. The region also produces Vin Doux Naturel (VDN for short), an excellent fortified wine-like port, available in still and oxidized versions.
Top Roussillon wine producers:
Domaine Cazes
https://www.cazes-rivesaltes.com/en/
Domaine Gardies
http://www.domaine-gardies.fr/en/histoire.html
Clos Saint Sébastien
https://www.clos-saint-sebastien.com/le-clos/?lang=en
Domaine LaFage
https://domaine-lafage.com/en/
Domaine Vaquer
https://domaine-vaquer.com/en/accueil-english/
The cuisine is logically Mediterranean, plump with fresh-caught seafood, tapas, gazpacho, fresh vegetables, and rustic meats. Several amazing Michelin-rated restaurants are seeded around picturesque seaside villages and the countryside laden with vines.
Where to eat:
La Galinette € € € €
https://www.restaurant-galinette.com/
Le restaurant "La Table du Mas" € € €
https://www.facebook.com/latabledumasrestaurant/
Restaurant La Table d'Aimé at Domaine Cazes € €
https://www.latabledaime.com/
Are these wines available in New Jersey? I am a big fan of Grenache.