This wild island with its rugged mountains and changing weather is hallowed ground for grapevines. Corsica is a colossal, drifting mountain with a rich tapestry of terrain, intertwined with countless valleys and hillsides of varying geological profiles. A wide variety of wines emerge from granite soils (especially in the south and west of the island), schist soils (more to the north) and limestone soils (in the middle), often produced from native grape varieties such as Nielluccio, Sciacarello and Vermentinu (also known as Malvoisie). The Corsican winegrowing region, ruffled by breezes and bathed in sunshine and balmy temperatures, is characterised by its incredible diversity, and wines rivalling the quality of its splendid landscapes.
Grape varieties bursting with personality
Corsica abounds in natural riches, harbouring a mosaic of 33 native grape varieties, each stamped with its own distinctive character. Four of these varieties have broken through and are recognised as the most widespread in Corsica.
Nielluccio: This is the main grape variety in Corsica, very commonplace in the Patrimonio appellation. The intense colour of the wines ranges from ruby to garnet, with some hints of purple. The berries deliver a rather rich and intense range of aromas of red and black fruit, with a depth complemented by woody, coffee and even balsamic notes. Nielluccio produces robust wines that will stand the test of time.
Sciacarello: This black grape alone expresses all the diversity offered by the Corsican terroir. The aromatic dimension of this grape is exceptionally rich, with notes of citrus fruit, cinnamon, cherry, raspberry, caramel and more emerging depending on the vinification process. The structure of the wines is lighter, delivering unrivalled length and complexity.
Vermentinu: This is the island’s main white grape variety. It produces top-end whites with a delicate pale-yellow colour, sometimes graced with green reflections. The notes are fresh and elegant, predominantly floral, complemented by flavours of white fruit, dried fruit and exotic fruit. On the palate, these wines are beautifully balanced, sometimes offering a more pronounced minerality depending on the terroir they originate from.
Muscat à Petits Grains: Planted in a very specific part of the island, this unusual grape variety can produce everything from dry to sweet, and even sparkling wines. With age, the aromas take on hints of candied fruit and gingerbread, which is why the berries are frequently used in blends to add depth to the wine’s structure.
Island appellations which are as diverse as they are excellent
The AOP Corse, established in 1935, currently covers nine appellation areas spread across the beautiful island, totalling almost 2,000 hectares. AOP stands for Appellation d’Origine protégée and translates to PDO which means Protected Designation of Origin. That being said, if you’re confused wine classification acronyms, check out our blog post that explains exactly what an AOC or AOP right here: https://www.idealwine.info/what-is-an-aoc-2/ From one area or estate to the next, the respective proportions of different grape varieties planted, together with the range of soils, create different tones which, in the majority of cases, justify the creation of a specific sub-appellation. Let’s set off on an exciting journey across the breathtaking islands and discover its thousand and one secret flavours.
AOP Corse Coteaux du Cap Corse
Stretching over 32 hectares, this appellation is the most northerly on the island. It covers a narrow peninsula, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea, on breezy plateaux near the villages of Macinaggio and Luri. The terroir is predominantly made from schist and benefits from a typically Mediterranean climate, with sunny summers and mild winters. This combination of sun exposure and soil characteristics produces red wines with a structure designed for ageing, and white wines– which account for most of the production – revealing a pronounced minerality.
AOP Patrimonio
Patrimonio, a small enclave of limestone terrain, largely owes its quality to its favourable climatic location. The surrounding mountains provide excellent shelter from the wind, and the soil contains limestone scree mixed with clay. The hillside region overlooks the Gulf of Saint-Florent at the foot of the Cap Corse. This AOP is extremely special in Corsica. Not only was it the first to be nationally recognised, but it was also one of the two appellations to be awarded the specific AOP ‘Grand Cru de Corse’ decree, a testament to its exceptional potential. The 334 hectares of vines, the largest area after the regional appellation, are mainly cultivated in compliance with organic viticulture standards, and the appellation is in the process of converting to full organic status. Nielluccio, the flagship grape variety, imparts character to reds and rosés, packed with intense fruity aromas. The white wines offer the same aromatic intensity, driven by Vermentinu, which reveals white floral notes and delicious tropical fruit.
AOP Muscat du Cap Corse
This 39-hectare AOP, as its name suggests, exclusively produces wines from Muscat à Petits Grains grapes grown throughout Cap Corse, the peninsular region in the north-east of the island, and the Nebbiu region, where Patrimonio wines are also produced. The vines planted on towering terraces give the wines colours ranging from light yellow to amber. Characterised by candied fruit flavours, the whites also reveal a certain complexity, with subtle notes of citrus fruit and beeswax.
AOP Corse
This is the only “regional” appellation. Spanning over 1200 hectares, it rests comfortably against the entire eastern seaboard, from Bastia to Solenzara. The vines thrive on the island’s only plain, encircled by rocky ridges, peaking at 1,000 metres or more. The majority of the wines produced are rosés, crafted from a blend of native and continental grape varieties. They display that typical Corsican character, with smoky, peppery notes that balance out the delicate fruitiness.
AOP Corse Porto-Vecchio
Granted, this is a pretty small area, but it’s one that’s rather hard to tame. This appellation located in the south-east of the island sits between the villages of Sari-Solenzara (to the north) and Porto-Vecchio (to the south). The sun-drenched arid soil, mostly consisting of silt and granite, regularly battered by the Grec – the north-east wind that blows across the entire eastern front of Corsica – is a very challenging terroir. White and rosé wines are dazzling in their youth, and the reds, mainly produced from Corsican grape varieties, are supplemented with Grenache to give roundness and elegance to the palate.
AOP Corse Figari
This is quite possibly the oldest winegrowing area in Corsica, where the first traces of vines date back to the fifth century BCE. Located in the southern part of the island, proudly facing the island of Sardinia, the vines here endure a harsh, windy climate that makes viticulture a complex business. However, this is not near enough to stop the increasingly numerous winegrowers, spread over 143 hectares, from displaying ever greater audacity and talent to produce full-bodied, refined wines.
AOP Sartène
Wedged between the Tizzano region and the Ortolo Valley, the Sartène appellation enjoys a much milder climate. The soils derive from mountainous terrain, mostly consisting of granite, and the vines are constantly bathed in plenty of sunlight. The region’s star grape is Sciacarello, which bears an uncanny resemblance to the well-known Pinot Noir. It produces wonderful red wines that are supple, slightly spiced and, above all, deliciously flavoursome. White wines are always fruity and floral, but much lighter than their island contemporaries.
AOP Ajaccio
This is the second appellation, alongside Patrimonio, to benefit from the ‘Cru’ designation, one of the most prestigious accolades given to appellations in Corsica. This is where Sciacarello originates from, on the slopes of this sublime coastline along the south-western coast of the island. The AOP Ajaccio specifications stipulate that a minimum of 60% of this grape be used in blends, which imparts intense aromas of blackcurrants and almonds to the red and rosé wines produced in the appellation. The vines are mainly planted around villages on hillsides no higher than 300 metres in an ideal setting. The picturesque landscapes make this one of the most appealing and popular Mediterranean vineyards.
AOP Corse Calvi
Our Tour de Corse concludes with a final appellation on our list, located in the breathtaking Balagne region between Calvi and Ile Rousse. This is where the wines of Balagne, popular among the Romans, were born, alongside the wines of Reginu and Algajola, matured by Benedictine monks. Today, this traditional love of the vines is reflected in an appellation comprising 100% organic certified winegrowers, or estates undergoing conversion to organic practices. The white wines produced here are exceptionally aromatic, with distinctive citrus notes. The reds, faithful to the island’s reputation, display an assertive structure.
Our selection of iconic Corsican estates
Renowned for their unwavering tenacity and determination, Corsican winegrowers hone the raw treasure offered by the island’s natural diversity. They brave the sun and wind to produce refined wines tempered with the same attributes that characterise these hard-working winemakers, capturing the essence of Corsica’s unique character. We’ve put together a selection of estates that will not only delight your gourmet curiosity, but also help you appreciate what makes this winemaking region so special:
- Clos Canarelli – This estate has become one of the most dynamic Corsican estates in less than 20 years. Its white Figari reveals just what Vermentino can do.
- Domaine Vaccelli – This family-run property creates characterful wines from local varieties.
- Domaine de Sant Armettu – While this producer holds the record for being Corsica’s most elevated vineyard, it is also the only one to be found at the centre of the island.
- Domaine du Comte Abbatucci: Long-standing advocates of local varieties, you should not wait a second more before trying Charles Abbatucci’s unique wine.
- Domaine Yves Leccia – Yves Leccia, one of the islands greatest winemakers, tirelessly works to allow native varieties to shine.
