Corsica
コルシカ
Wild French island of Niellucciu, Sciaccarellu, Vermentinu
About Corsica
- Producers listed
- 77
- Appellations
- 4 areas
Corsica (Corse) is a mountainous French island in the Mediterranean, closer to Tuscany than to mainland France, and its wines reflect that dual heritage. Around 6,000 hectares of vines are spread over coastal hillsides with granite in the south and west, schist in the northeast and clay-limestone around Patrimonio. The climate is hot, dry and very sunny, with sea breezes and altitude keeping the wines fresh. Three grapes define the island: Niellucciu (Nielluccio), a local form of Sangiovese that gives structured reds in Patrimonio; Sciaccarellu, a pale, peppery and floral red grape at its best on the granite of Ajaccio; and Vermentinu (Vermentino), the dominant white. Corsica has nine AOPs: Patrimonio (the island's first AOC, 1968), Ajaccio, the regional Corse (Vin de Corse) with its five named areas Calvi, Coteaux du Cap Corse, Figari, Porto-Vecchio and Sartène, and the sweet fortified Muscat du Cap Corse. Rosé accounts for roughly two-thirds of production.
Best for
Drinkers who love Mediterranean rosé and want to go further: fans of Sangiovese, light peppery reds and saline, herbal whites, and anyone curious about native island grapes.
Food Pairings
Vermentinu whites and rosés with grilled fish, shellfish and brocciu cheese dishes; Sciaccarellu with charcuterie (figatellu, coppa), roast pork and herb-scented lamb; structured Patrimonio reds with wild boar stew; Muscat du Cap Corse with almond pastries and fruit desserts.
Producers
カーヴ・クーペラティヴ・ダレリア
Cave Coopérative d'Aleria
The Cave d'Aléria is a wine cooperative (société coopérative agricole, SCA UVIB) based at Padulone in Aléria, on Corsica's east coast. It was founded in 1958 and is Corsica's largest wine cooperative, with around 70 member growers. Its flagship range is La Réserve du Président, and the wines are sold at its boutique and online shop.
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www.cavedaleria.frドメーヌ・カザビアンカ
Domaine Casabianca
Domaine Casabianca was a large wine estate at Bravone in Linguizzetta, on the eastern plain of Corsica, managed by Anne-Marie Casabianca. It made Vin de Corse and IGP Île de Beauté wines, from rosés and reds in the Cirnéa and Domaine Casabianca ranges to sweet muscats, of which Modérato was the best known. The estate was placed in judicial liquidation in December 2016, and its land was later bought by the land agency SAFER de Corse, so its wines are no longer being made by the estate.
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ドメーヌ・エ・ペトレ
Domaine E Petre
Domaine E Petre is a Corsican wine estate that makes IGP Île de Beauté wines and offers tastings and sales at the estate.
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ドメーヌ・エリック・ポリ
Domaine Eric Poli
Domaine Eric Poli, also known as Domaine Poli, is a winery at Bravone on the eastern plain of Corsica, run by winemaker Éric Poli. It makes wines under the Corse (Vin de Corse) appellation. Poli also owns Clos Alivu in Patrimonio.
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www.ericpolivigneron.frドメーヌ・テッラ・ヴェッキア・クロ・ポッジャーレ
Domaine Terra Vecchia Clos Poggiale
Domaine Terra Vecchia is a wine estate at Aléria on the eastern coast of Corsica, with Clos Poggiale as its wine brand. Jean-François Renucci bought the estate in 2011 from the Skalli group.
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ドメーヌ・テッラ・ディ・カトーニ
Domaine Terra di Catoni
Domaine Terra di Catoni is an organic wine estate at Porticciolo on the Cap Corse peninsula in northern Corsica. It bottles IGP Île de Beauté wines from local varieties such as Vermentinu and Sciaccarellu and from continental varieties, and it makes a pure Sauvignon blanc. The estate also produces olive oil.
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ドメーヌ・ヴェッキオ
Domaine Vecchio
Domaine Vecchio is a Corsican wine estate at Listincone in Chiatra, on the island's east coast, with about 30 hectares on the slopes of Monte Sant'Appianu. Florence Giudicelli-Girard and her husband expanded and restructured the estate from 2000. Grape varieties include Niellucciu, Sciaccarellu, Minustellu and Vermentinu, and the cuvées include Mélusine and Minustellu.
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www.domainevecchio.comドメーヌ・ズリア
Domaine Zuria
Domaine Zuria is an organic-certified winery at Spinella in Bonifacio, southern Corsica, run by Christian Zuria with his wife Nadine and son Ivan. Christian began planting vines in the Bonifacio area in 2013, and a winery with a tasting cellar was completed in 2021. Sciaccarellu is its main grape, and the estate is converting to biodynamic farming.
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www.domainezuria.comレ・ヴィニュロン・ダギオーネ
Les Vignerons d'Aghione
Les Vignerons d'Aghione is a wine cooperative at Aristone in Ghisonaccia, on the eastern coast of Corsica. The cooperative was founded in 1975, and Muscat is among the grapes it works with.
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Appellations
Smaller wine areas within Corsica.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What kind of wine is Corsica known for?
- Corsica is best known for dry, pale rosé, which makes up about two-thirds of production, but its most distinctive wines are Niellucciu reds from Patrimonio, Sciaccarellu reds from Ajaccio and saline Vermentinu whites.
- How many AOPs does Corsica have?
- Corsica has nine AOPs: Patrimonio, Ajaccio, Corse (Vin de Corse) and its five named areas Calvi, Coteaux du Cap Corse, Figari, Porto-Vecchio and Sartène, plus the sweet Muscat du Cap Corse.
- Is Nielluccio the same grape as Sangiovese?
- Yes. Niellucciu (Nielluccio) is genetically Sangiovese, brought from Tuscany. On Patrimonio's clay-limestone it gives firm, dark-fruited reds with violet and herbal notes.
- What does Sciaccarellu taste like?
- Sciaccarellu makes pale, light-bodied reds with red berries, wild herbs (maquis) and a distinctive peppery, smoky edge. It is the signature grape of Ajaccio's granite hillsides and also makes excellent rosé.
- Where should a beginner start with Corsican wine?
- Start with a Vermentinu white or a rosé from the Corse appellation, then try a Patrimonio red and an Ajaccio Sciaccarellu side by side to taste the island's two great red grapes.