Why it matters
The producer
Mas Cristine farms 25 hectares of organic vines in Argelès-sur-Mer, with the vineyard facing the sea on the foothills of the Albères massif. Harvesting is entirely manual. The estate was taken over in 2006 after a long period specializing in Rivesaltes, and it has since produced a broad range of dry and sweet wines.
The domaine works to showcase the Albères terroir and the grape varieties planted in its old vines. Individual parcel characteristics shape each cuvée, whether it uses one grape variety or several. The range includes Muscat-de-Rivesaltes, IGP Côtes Catalanes, Rivesaltes and Côtes-du-Roussillon.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
The Mediterranean regulates temperature differences around the vineyard, softens winter conditions and brings cooling sea air on summer afternoons. The Tramontane is a dry northwesterly wind that can damage young spring shoots while reducing disease risk throughout the year.
The southern Albères sector contains ancient mica-schist and colluvium. At the foot of the massif, coarse alluvium and rounded stones form another vineyard ground. Mas Cristine also farms at Saint Jean Lasseille, where Tertiary lacustrine and marine deposits provide a separate setting for parcel work.
Wines to know
The range in view
Mas Cristine makes both dry and sweet wines. The appellation range includes Muscat-de-Rivesaltes, IGP Côtes Catalanes, Rivesaltes and Côtes-du-Roussillon, giving the domaine several routes through the wines of the Roussillon.
Mas Cristine Côtes du Roussillon Blanc 2017 and Le Grill Mas Cristine Blanc 2018 are white wines from Côtes du Roussillon. For Le Grill Blanc, Grenache Blanc and Macabeu are identified, with some versions listing additional varieties. Its stated drinking window is three years.