Tramontane Cotes Catalanes Macabeu

The Wine

Macabeu (mack uh BAY oh) is one of the three white grapes that form the traditional backbone of Spanish sparkling wines. But more recently, we've seen them become recognized for the delicious still wines made from a single varietal. They offer curious wine lovers a crisp, Mediterranean white wine with a refreshing citrus brightness and subtle weight. But wait a minute... WHERE is this wine from? France??? Whhhaaaaaat?

If we dust off our old geography lessons and recall that portion of the globe where France and Spain meet, then draw that line formed by the Pyrenees mountains, look at the Easternmost point of that line. It's on the Mediterranean, which lends the wine a nice salinity and moderating the region's hot days with nighttime temperatures cooled by the "Tramontane winds". 

The wine shows a lemon-citrus nose with hints of white flowers giving way to stone fruit. On the palate, it is fresh and crisp, though softened by a bit of bottle age, with good mid-palate weight and nice minerality. It's this balance of weight and crispness that makes the wine intriguing. And what a bargain!

Pairing Suggestions: Fresh (or aged!) goat cheeses will sing with this wine, but try it also with Pecorino or young Manchego. For an interesting twist, pair it with ricotta drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with lemon zest.  It works beautifully with a wide array of seafood and fowl (a simple lemon-roasted chicken!) or an easy garlic and olive oil pasta. Fun idea? bite-sized Zucchini and Ricotta tarts!

1,250 cases produced. 13.5% ABV. Drink now through 2027.

The Winery

Tramontane Wines was named after the region's cooling nighttime winds (see above). It is located on the rocky cliffs overlooking the port of Argelès-sur-Mer, just over the border from Spain. Inspired by the wines naturally emerging from their soils of clay and limestone, the duo behind this project pursued a winemaking style that prioritizes freshness, influencing this outcome through an early harvest and cool fermentation, whole-bunch pressing and an early bottling that emphasized vibrancy over softness. 

Andy Cook is half of the team behind Tramontane Wines, bringing his winemaking experience from New Zealand and France. With Andy is Philippe Gard, a well-regarded consultant with deep experience in the Cotes Catalanes region.