Wine region: France, Corsica

Corsican wines have a very distinct identity, initially due to a long tradition and knowledge of wine-making. Six centuries before Christ, the Greeks were making Alalia wine (from Aleria), one of their favourite drinks. In 35 BC Virgil mentioned the wine of the Balagne, ruby-coloured and agreeable to the palate. During the centuries of trouble and invasion which followed the fall of the Roman Empire, the vines survived, awaiting the return of peace, and of wine-makers. From the 11th century, the Pisans, who had become the administrators of the island, put Corsican wine in the vessels of their priests and the goblets of their nobles. A century later, the Genoese, having replaced the Pisans, did the same. After 1769, French sovereignty did not put an end to wine-making activity and to wine exports to Italy. But, after 1850, first oïdium, and then phylloxera ravaged the vines. These blights were, however, overcome. By the end of the century there had even been a renewal in sales overseas, and the development of several important domains. However, from the early years of the twentieth century a general collapse in wine prices halted this expansion, and the Great War completed the decline, killing, with the same weapon, the men, the vines and the commercial links. There remained only a few marginal sectors of production. Fifty years were to pass before the island’s viticulture became again a valid sector of the economy.

Just One More Thing…

(The most famous Colombo quote)

Rich in tradition, the identity of Corsican wine is also one of variety and quality. These attributes are the result of a selection of native grape varieties (principally Sciaccarellu, Niellucciu and Vermentinu) and of imported ones (Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Grenache, Syrah, Chardonnay) as well as of a variety of natural conditions (soil, relief and climate). The AOC (Appellation d’Origine Controllée) wines are, in fact, determined by the localisation and proportion of the native grape varieties and by the special nature of each producing region.

There are nine Appellations, at three levels: Corse, Village and Cru. The Appellation Corse is applied to the whole of the island, but mainly concerns the east coast and the Golo valley. The character of this Appellation comes from the high percentage of imported, mainly Mediterranean varieties (Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan). The Appellation Corse-Village is given to five regions: Calvi, Cap Corse, Figari, Porto Vecchio and Sartène. In these regions the proportion of native Corsican grape varieties is higher. These are mainly Sciaccarellu and Niellucciu, except in Cap Corse where Vermentinu predominates.

The Appellation Cru is applied to two regions: Ajaccio and Patrimonio. Sciaccarellu is the predominant variety in the former, whilst Niellucciu characterises the latter. Niellucciu is the variety which gives the wines of Patrimonio their renown. It produces a full-bodied wine of a deep red colour, supple and rich, said to have “un nez de fourrure de lièvre et de règlisse”: a nose of “hare-fur” (a term used to describe its subtle gamey bouquet) and liquorice. These wines also have scents of red berries, violets, spices and apricots. Studies carried out in the 1980s have shown that the Niellucciu grape is no other than the Tuscan variety, Sangiovese, of the famous Chianti Classico. Sciaccarellu is the black grape variety characteristic of the granite areas of the island. It is considered apt for producing wines suitable for ageing, and produces wines of great distinction, with a peppery nose. In its bouquet one finds aromas of red fruits (blackcurrants, raspberries and redcurrants), almonds and charred wood, and flavours of peach and almonds.

Vermentinu is the white grape variety of Cap Corse. This grape comes from the Malvoisie line, the great Mediterranean variety. Vermentinu produces white wines which are among the best of the Mediterranean. They vary in colour from pale and transparent to golden-yellow. These wines, crystal clear, are characterised by floral aromas, lightness and freshness. The golden-coloured wines are more aromatic than fruity, and have an after-taste of almonds, hazelnuts, apples and honey. If today they are less highly prized than the pale wines, they are the only ones which can be aged.