Corsica

Corsica

COUP DE COEUR
92/100 RVF
Bio
Sant Armettu - Rosumarinu Rouge 2021 – Sku: 617321 – 6
Sant Armettu
2021
Sartène AOP
€19.90
Bio
Clos Canarelli - Rosé 2021 – Sku: 614221 – 45
Clos Canarelli
2021
Corsica Figari PDO
€25.90
Bio
Jean Baptiste Arena - Muscat du Cap Corse Grotte di Sole 2017 – Sku: 619017 – 29
Jean-Baptiste Arena
2017
Muscat-du-Cap-Corse PDO
€27.00
-7%
Bio
Antoine Marie Arena - Muscat Morta Maio 2020 – Sku: 608620 – 58
Antoine-Marie Arena
2020
French wine
Special Price €27.90 Regular Price €29.90
-10%
Bio
Sant Armettu - Elegante 2020 – Sku: 618820 – 50
Sant Armettu
2020
IGP de l'Ile de Beauté
Special Price €27.90 Regular Price €31.00
COUP DE COEUR
Bio
Antoine Marie Arena - Carco Rouge 2020 – Sku: 609420 – 6
Antoine-Marie Arena
2020
Patrimonio PDO
€27.90
COUP DE COEUR
93/100 RVF
-7%
Bio
Clos Canarelli - Rouge 2020 – Sku: 612620 – 158
Clos Canarelli
2020
Corsica Figari PDO
Special Price €28.90 Regular Price €31.00
Bio
Jean Baptiste Arena - Morta Maio Blanc – Sku: 617120 – 24
Jean-Baptiste Arena
2020
French wine
€29.90
Bio
U Stiliccionu - Antica 2018 – Sku: 613118 – 8
U Stiliccionu
2018
Ajaccio PDO
€29.90
Bio
Jean Baptiste Aréna - Grotte di Sole rouge 17/19 – Sku: 6098 – 52
Jean-Baptiste Arena
French wine
€29.90
-3%
Bio
Sant Armettu - Elegante 2019 (étiquette abimée) – Sku: 618899 – 1
Sant Armettu
2019
IGP de l'Ile de Beauté
Special Price €31.90 Regular Price €33.00
Bio
Sant Armettu - Myrtus Rouge 2020 – Sku: 617720 – 45
Sant Armettu
2020
IGP de l'Ile de Beauté
€32.00
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Corsica's vineyards, proud of their grape varieties

Turquoise waters, steep cliffs, typical villages, preserved fauna and flora... and a vineyard of which Corsica can be proud. In full revival since the 90s, the vineyard of Corsica takes advantage of all the natural wealth of the island. It counts approximately 5,700 hectares, which are spread out along the entire coastline, between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains. Although rosé wines dominate Corsican wine production, the many indigenous and imported grape varieties are the source of great red and white wines.

General presentation

The Corsican vineyard counts 9 appellations, spread along the coasts and on the two departments of Haute-Corse and Corse-du-Sud. From Bastia in the north to Bonifacio in the south, from Ajaccio in the west to Aléria in the east, passing through Calvi, Propriano, Sartène, Figari, Porto-Vecchio and Corte, there are many terroirs with distinct identities that give rise to a variety of wines.

The typical grape varieties of the region are :

  • Nielluccio (or niellucciu): it makes the fame of the red wines of Patrimonio, in the north. It is found in almost all the other Corsican appellations; it represents more than 30% of the vineyard.
  • Sciaccarello (or sciaccarellu): this is a grape variety found only on the island of Beauty and whose name means "crisp". It is cultivated mainly in the south-west of Corsica, around Ajaccio and Sartène.
  • Vermentino (or vermentinu): also called malvoisie de Corse, it is the source of high quality dry white wines.

Many other grape varieties are used in the blending of Corsican wines: white and black carcajolo, bianco gentile, aleatico, paga debiti, barbarossa, ugni blanc, rossola... Carignan, cinsault, grenache, mourvèdre and syrah are also regularly invited in the red wines of Corsica

The appellations

Corsica has 9 appellations, which occupy some 3,000 hectares: one regional AOC, two crus, six Villages appellations and one vin doux naturel (VDN). More than half of the wine production is devoted to rosés; however, reds represent about 30% of the production, followed by whites and, in a small proportion, by muscats.

Regional Appellation Vin de Corse

These are the most widespread Corsican wines. Their production is limited to the east coast of the island, from Bastia to Solenzara via Aléria. The AOC Corsica is also present north of Corte, in the interior valley of the Golo. Wines of the three colours make up the offer, with a large preponderance left to the rosés, particularly famous.

The crus

Two emblematic appellations of Corsica are crus produced in the north and south of the island:

  • AOC Patrimonio: this is undoubtedly the best known AOC of the Corsican vineyards. It originates from the north of the island and has its roots at the foot of Cap Corse, south-west of Bastia. The vermentino allows the production of dry, fruity and floral white wines, while the nielluccio, cultivated here in abundance, gives rich and ample red wines. The rosés are among the best in the region.
  • AOC Ajaccio : in the south-west of the island, this appellation area extends all around Ajaccio, from the Gulf of Porto to Sartène. It is the region of sciaccarello par excellence. The whites are essentially made from vermentino.

The Village appellations

The AOC Corsica counts various geographical denominations, all endowed with a well marked identity:

  • AOC Corse Calvi: it is one of the oldest soils of Corsica. In the north-west of the island, in the Balagne region, famous rosé wines are produced, as well as aromatic white wines and robust red wines, all with a strong personality. Vermentino dominates on the white side, and on the red side, blends of sciaccarello, niellucio and grenache are usually found.
  • AOC Corse Coteaux du Cap-Corse : on the long and narrow peninsula which prolongs the region of Bastia are produced dry white wines stemming from the vermentino grape and reds of guard stemming from the traditional Corsican grape varieties.
  • AOC Corse Figari: this is a very small terroir located in the southernmost part of Southern Corsica. It is also the oldest vineyard on the island. The harshness of the climate and the local grape varieties give birth to floral white wines, lively rosé wines and structured red wines.
  • AOC Corse Porto-Vecchio : in the south-east of the island, this appellation area stretches from Bonifacio to Solenzara via Porto-Vecchio. Nielluccio and Sciaccarello grapes are grown on this arid land and are traditionally blended with Grenache to make elegant red and aromatic rosé wines. The whites are dry and fruity and come mainly from vermentino.
  • AOC Corse Sartène: this appellation is located in the south-west of the island, around Sartène and Propriano. Wines are produced in all three colours.

Appellation VDN Muscat du Cap-Corse

It is considered as one of the best muscatels in the world. Muscat du Cap-Corse AOC is produced exclusively with the grape variety muscat à petits grains. This sweet natural wine is produced in Haute-Corse, in 17 communes.

The country wines/IGP

Finally, the IGP Ile de Beauté includes rosé wines, as well as red and white wines. They are produced in both departments and represent a large part of Corsican wines. The historical grape varieties of the region are mainly used to produce these wines which are progressively gaining in quality. They are complemented by continental varieties such as chardonay, merlot, pinot noir, grenache and syrah, to name but a few.

Le vignoble

Antoine Arena

"De tous les vignerons corses, Antoine Arena est sans doute celui qui a eu la plus grande volonté de faire connaître ses vins au-delà de l'île. Il a repris le domaine familial en 1975, avec l'aide de sa femme Marie, et l'a hissé parmi les meilleurs de Corse, travaillant dans une approche naturelle, sans produits de synthèse et avec l'apport de fumier naturel, aujourd'hui certifié en agriculture biologique.

Antoine-Marie Arena

What the RVF says in its 2018 Guide:

Chantegrive

Clos Canarelli

Yves Canarelli never ceases to amaze us and continues to raise the profile of Corsican wines, unquestionably belonging to the elite of Mediterranean winegrowers.

Count Abbatucci

In the Taravo valley, not far from Propriano, the Comte Abbatucci estate continues to shine through its contribution to the revaluation of Corsican native grape varieties.

Jean-Baptiste Arena

What the RVF says in its 2018 Guide

U Stiliccionu

"After making wine in Cahors, New Zealand and Tokaj, Sébastien Poly took over this small family estate in 2006. He benefits from a heritage of old vines planted in the 1960s in the granite and clay valley of Taravo, not far from the Comte Abbatucci and Vaccelli estates. He vinifies without yeast, with very little or no sulphite. His wines retain a great aromatic frankness. Certified organic since 2009, he is currently converting to biodynamics, and offers wines of a greediness and digestibility rare in Corsica. Not to be missed." RVF Guide 2018

Muriel Giudicelli

"Voici encore un domaine de « femme corse » ! Muriel Giudicelli exploite avec autorité une propriété située au cœur du vignoble historique de Patrimonio, avec un pied dans l'aire d'appellation du Muscat du Cap Corse (son mari l'aide à la vigne depuis 2005).

Sant Armettu

"Un ermite guérisseur ayant choisi pour exercer son don ce site exceptionnel, à l'extrême nord de l'appellation, a inspiré le nom du domaine.