Wines of Corsica, discovering of grape variety and vineyards of Corsica.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Already in the 11th century BC, Corsica reveals itself as a land of wines.
It was the Phoenicians who introduced the cultivation of vines on the eastern coast, i.e. in Alalia. (Aleria).
It is from this period on that the landscape of Corsica will start to change and where over the centuries an expertise in wine making will be developed.
Known among other things for the large diversity of their rich and varied flavours, Corsican wines are appreciated by many well-known personalities (historians, philosophers, writers, etc.)
Today Corsica has been able to maintain its reputation more than ever thanks to the naturalness and diversity of its soil, which makes it one of the great wine regions of France.
THE “WINE LIST”
This island consists of more than thirty grape varieties, 3 of which are well-known and form the basis of the following Corsican wines :
- le Niellucciu : red or rosé wine
- le Sciaccarellu : red or rosé wine
- le Vermentinu ou Malvoisie : white wine
The eight major AOC wine regions
1/Coteaux d’Ajaccio : AOC since 1984
Vines : Sciaccarellu, a high-quality wine, assertive flavour
2/Patrimonio : AOC since1968 (listed in “Le Gotha des vins de France”), of international reputation
Vines : Vermentinu, white wine, a lovely pale yellow colour, dry and fresh, flowery bouquet with a taste of apple and Niellucciu, full-bodied wine, dark red in colour.
3/Cap Corse : the Muscat region
Vines : along the lines of the Malvoisie, among the best in the Mediterranean, a pale, almost transparent white wine, yellow-golden in colour, characterised by its lightness and freshness.
4/Calvi : (i.e. in particular the Balagne region, formerly known as the Toscana of Corsica)
Vines : Niellucciu and the Sciaccarellu
5/Sartenais : AOC since 1976
Vines : Niellucciu and the Sciaccarellu, red wine, rounded and rich.
6/Figari : AOC of Corsica-Porto-Vecchio
Vines : Niellucciu and the Sciaccarellu, a robust red wine, among the best of Corsica.
7/Porto-Vecchio :
Vines : Niellucciu and Sciaccarellu, a fruity, well-balanced red wine.
8/Est Coast :
Vines : traditional “noble” red vines such as the Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah, and white vines such as the Ugni, the Malvoisie, the Sauvignon and the Pinot.
The red wines are smooth and full-bodied, the white wines are fresh and rich, some of them with a delicate bouquet and taste, much like the Great Wines.
THE WINE CELLARS
This list is not exhaustive
-1/COTEAUX D’AJACCIO
• Clos Capitoro :
Owner Sir BIANCHETTI in Porticcio, Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 25 19 61
Tasting all the year round from 9 Am to 12h30 and from 3PM to 8PM except the Sunday and the public holidays
• Domaine Comte Peraldi :
Owner Sir le Comte de Poix – Address : Chemin de Stiletto in Mezzavia, Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 22 37 30
Tasting all the year round from the 1st of September to the 30th of June from 08.Am to Midday and from 2.PM to 6.PM and from the 1st of July to the 31st of August from 8.AM to 12h30 and from 2.PM to 7.PM except the Sunday and the public holidays
• Clos Ornasca :
Owners TOLA in Eccica-Suarella, Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 25 09 07
Tasting all the year round from the 1st of October to the 30th of June from 08.AM to Midday and from 2.PM to 6.PM and from the 1rst of July to the 30th of September from 08.AM to Midday and from 3.PM to 7.PM except the Sunday and the public holidays
• Clos d’Alzeto :
Owners ALBERTINI Brothers & Son in Sari d’Orcino, Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 52 24 67
Tasting all the year round from the 1st of November to the 30th of June from 8.AM to Midday and from 2.PM to 6.PM close the Sunday and from the 1st of July to the 31st of October in the week from 8.AM to Midday and from 4.PM to 8.PM the Sunday from 9.30 AM to Midday and from 4.PM to 8.PM
• Domaine de Pravone :
Owners Jean and Isabelle COURREGES in Pila-Canale, phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 24 34 11
Tasting all the year round from the 1st of October to the 31st of May the Wednesday and Saturday morning only from 8.30 AM to Midday and from the 01st of June to the 30th of September from 8.30 AM to 12.30 and from 3.30 PM
to 15.30 PM except the Sunday
-2/PATRIMONIO
• Clos Marfisi :
Owners MARFISI Father & Son in Patrimonio, Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 37 01 16
Tasting in winter possible but only by appointment . However from the 1st of July to the 30th of September tasting from Monday to the Friday from 9.AM to 1.PM and from 4.PM to 8.PM
The WE by appointment.
• Clos Dominici :
Owner Serge DOMINICI in Patrimonio, Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 37 12 22
Tasting possible only from the 1st of July to the 30th of September from the Monday to the friday from 8.30 AM to Midday and from 3.PM to 7.PM
• Cave des Vignerons de Patrimonio :
Owner Patrick GIGNAC in Patrimonio, Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 37 00 92
Tasting all the year round from the Monday to the Friday from 8.AM to Midday and from 2.PM to 6.PM
Close the WE and public holidays.
• Domaine San Quilico :
Address : Morta Majo in Patrimonio, Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 37 45 00
Tasting all the year round from the 1st of October to the 30th of June from 9.AM to Midday and from 2.PM to 6.PM
Close the WE and from the 1st of July to the 30th of September from 9.AM to the 7.PM non stop WE and public holidays included.
-3/ CAP CORSE
• Domaine de Gioielli :
Owner : Michel ANGELI in Rogliano, Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 35 42 05
Tasting possible from the 16th of October to the 30th of June only by appointment and from the 1st of July to the 15th of October from 8.AM to Midday and from 2.PM to 6.PM, close the WE..
• Clos Nicrosi :
Owner : Toussaint LUIGI in Rogliano, Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 35 41 17
Tasting possible from the 1st of October to the 14th of May only by appointment, from the 15th of May to the 30th of September from 10.AM to 1.PM and from 5.PM to 8.PM
• Domaine Pieretti :
Owner : Lina PIERETTI-VENTURI Address : Santa Severa in Luri, Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 35 01 03
Tasting possible from the 1st of April to the 15th of October from the Monday to the sunday from 10.AM to 1.PM and from 5.PM to 8.PM
Close from the 15th of October to the 31st of March.
-4/ CALVI
• Clos Culombo :
Owner : Etienne SUZZONI Address : Saint-Pierre-Lumio in Calvi, Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 60 70 68
Tasting possible (Except during the grape harvest) from the 1st of September to the 30th of June only by appointment and from the 01st of July to the 31st of August from 8.AM to Midday including Sunday and public holidays.
• Domaine Orsini :
Owner : Tony ORSINI in Calenzana, Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 62 81 01
Tasting possible during one hour from the 1st of September to the 30th of June from the monday to the Friday from 9.AM to 11.30 AM and from 2.PM to 5.PM and from the 01st of July from the 31st of August from 9.AM to 11.30 AM and from 2.PM to 7.PM includind the Sunday and public holidays.
• Domaine d’Alzipratu :
Owner : Pierra ACQUAVIVA in Calenzana, Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 60 34 00 and 00 33 (0)4 95 62 75 47
Tasting possible from the Monday to the saturday from the 1st of October to the 30th of April from 8.AM to Midday and from 2.PM to 5.PM and from the 01st of May to the 30th of September from 8.AM to Midday and from 2.PM to 7.30 PM
• Domaine Renucci :
Owner : Bernard RENUCCI in Feliceto, Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 65 07 24
Tasting possible from the Monday to the saturday (except the public holidays) from the 1st of October to the 31st of May only by appointment and from the 1st of June to the 31st of August from 10.AM to Midday and from 4.PM to 6.PM.
• Clos Reginu « E Prove » :
Owner : Michel RAOUST in Muro, Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 61 72 11
Tasting possible all the year round from the Monday to the saturday except the public holidays from 9.AM to Midday and from 2.PM to 7.PM.
-5/SARTENAIS
• Domaine San Michele :
Owner : Jean-Paul PHELIP in Sartène. Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 77 06 38
Tasting possible :
-From September to October and from May to June from 9.AM to Midday and from 2.PM to 6.PM except in the Wednesday and Saturday afternoon and the Sunday all the day round
-From November to April only in the morning from 9.AM to Midday except the wednesday and the sunday
-July/August from 9.AM to Miday and from 3.30 PM to 7.30 PM except in the Saturday afternoon and the sunday all the day round
The public holidays : only in the morning
• Domaine Pero Longo :
Address : Lieu-dit Mavara in Sartène, Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 77 07 11
Tasting possible from the 21st of September to the 14th of June only by appointment by calling : 00 33 (0)4 95 77 10 74 and from the 15th of June to the 20th of September from the Monday to the Sunday & Public holidays included from 08.AM to Midnight.
• Domaine San Armetto :
Owner : Paul SEROIN in Olmeto, Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 76 05 18
Tasting possible from the 1st of October to the 31st of May, only by Appointment and from the 1st of June to the 30th of September from 7.AM to Midday and from 2.PM to 6.PM & Close the Saturday morning and the Sunday. Public Holidays by appointment.
• Domaine Saparale :
Owner : Philippe FARINELLI РAddress : 5, cours Bonaparte Р20100 Sart̬ne, Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 77 15 52
Visits of the estate by appointment.
-6/FIGARI
• Domaine de la Murta :
Owner : Jean-Paul CANTARA in Figari (centre), Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 71 00 34
Tasting possible all the year round from the Monday to the Sunday, public holidays included from 9.AM to 8.PM.
• Domaine de Tanella :
Owner : J-B DE PERETTI DELLA ROCCA in Figari (centre), Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 70 46 23
Tasting possible from the 1st of September to the 30th of June from 9.AM to 12.30 and from 3.PM to 7.30 PM
Close the Sunday and the public holidays and from the 01st of July to the 31st of August from 9.AM to 8.PM all the week round includind the public holidays.
-7/PORTO-VECCHIO
• Domaine de Torracia :
Owner : Christian Imbert LECCI in Porto Vecchio, Phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 71 43 50
Tasting possible from the Monday to the Saturday (except the public holidays) from the 1st of October to the 30th of June from the 8.AM to Midday and from 2.PM to 5.PM and from the 1st of July to the 30th of September from 8.AM to 8.PM.
• Cave Fior di Lecci :
Address : Road of Bastia in Porto Vecchio, phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 71 43 52
Tasting possible all the year round from the Monday to the Sunday from 8.AM to 7.PM, close the public holidays.
• Domaine de Granajolo :
Owner : Monika Boucher in Ste Lucie de Porto Vecchio, phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 71 40 34
Tasting possible all the year round from the Monday to the Friday from 8.AM to 2.PM, only by appointment the week-ends and public holidays.
-8/COTE ORIENTALE
• Domaine de Piana :
Owner : Antoine and Eric POLI & Address : Linguizzetta in San Nicolao, phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 38 86 38
Tasting possible from the 1st of November to the 30th of April from 8.AM to 6.30 PM except the Sundays. Only in the morning the public holidays until Midday. From the 01st of May to the 30th of September from 8.AM to 7.30 PM including the week-ends and public holidays.
• Domaine de Vico :
Address : Road of Calvi in Ponte Leccia, phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 47 61 35
Tasting possible from the Monday to the Saturday except the Sunday and the public holidays from the 15th of October to the 14th of May from 9.AM to Midday and from 2.30 PM to 7.PM, from the 15th of May to the 14th of October from 9.AM to Midday and from 2.PM to 5.PM.
• Domaine du Mont St Jean et Cave de la Marana :
SICA UVAL in Borgo, phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 58 44 00
Tasting possible all the year round the Monday from 3.PM to 7.PM, from the Tuesday to the Friday from 9.AM to Midday and from 3.PM to 7.PM, the Saturday from 9.AM to Midday, close the Sunday and public holidays.
• Cave Coopérative d’Aleria :
Adresse : Padulone in Cateraggio, phone : 00 33 (0)4 95 57 02 48
Tasting possible from the 15th of October to the 15th of May from 08.30 AM to Midday except the week-ends and public holidays.
From the 16th of May to the 14th of October from 08.30 AM to 12.30 and from 2.PM to 8.PM except the Sundays and public holidays.
THE WINE FAIR IN LURI (FIERA DI U VINU)
This demonstration takes place every year in the Cap Corse, the first week-end of July.
It gathers together many corsican wine growers who take part in a regional competition oraganized during 2 days.
We also find many other stands as well as associations, books and artists.
Examples of Week-end :
Saturday (first day)
09h00 : opening
11h00 : the fair begins
12h00 : catering
15h00 : many events children/adults
21h00 : region buffet with musical event played by a corsican group
During the day and the evening, a competition is organized, the prize is : your weight in wine
Sunday (second day)
08h00 : opening
10h00 : regional wine competition
10h30 : Initiation to corsican wines tasting
11h00 : Great mass of St Pierre sacred singings sung by a corsican group.
12h30 : catering
15h00 : Initiation to corsican wines tasting
16h30 : Horse competition, lmany events children/adults
18h00 : Wine competition results
19h00 : Win your weight in Wine competition results
21h00 : Traditional meal on the village place with musical event sung by a corsican group.
