Welcome to binNotes’ Terroirist Tuesday. Today’s Topic: Corsica, Part 2 of 2

There’s a fine line between well-bred and inbred. Any reality-TV enthusiast ‘red-neckonizes’ this. And any wine enthusiast understands that Corsica’s wine regions may be insulated from Continental France, but not insular.

Corsica’s biodiversity – we’re talkin’ a boat-load of of soils, micro-climates and typography, creates one of the most unique vinicultural areas in the world. No wonder it’s called I’lle d’Beauté (Island of Beauty).

Corsica’s wine regions literally ring the island’s center,  Parc Naturel Régional de Corse, and contain a snow-capped 9,000 ft. mountain – Monte Cinto.

So what about those Corsican wine regions?  Corsica has nine (9). Some fun facts:

Vin de Corse AOC (Appellation d’Origine  Contrôlée)  As a regional AOC, administratively it covers the entire island, but logistically it really covers most of the east coast of the island.

• Labels may also say Corse AOC

•  Sub-appelations: Five (5)  Smaller in size, yields:
  • Vins de Corse
  • Coteaux du Cap Corse (North)
  • Calvi (NW) ) Famous for Gris de Calvi rosé
  • Sartène and Figari (SW)
  • Porto Vecchio (SE)

• ~45% all island wine production –  regional/subregions
• Wine Styles: Reds, rosés, whites
• Primary Red Grapes: Niellucciu, Sciacarellu, Grenache
• Secondary Red Grapes: Cinsault, Mourvédre, Barbarossa, Syrah, Carignan
• Primary White Grapes: White Vermentino (regional, sub-regions)
• Secondary White Grapes: Ugni Blanc (regional/sub-regions), Codivarta ( sub-regions)

Ajaccio AOC - Located in Ajaccio – SW coastal town

• Wine Styles: Medium-bodied  reds, rosés, whites
• Primary Red Grapes: Sciacarellu, Niellucciu, Barbarossa, Vermentino
• Secondary Red Grapes: Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan
• Primary White Grapes: White Vermentino
• Secondary White Grape:  Ugni Blanc

Patrimonio AOC: Located on North coast; Corsica’s 1st AOC.

• Wine Styles: Reds, rosés, whites
• Primary Red Grapes: Niellucciu
• Secondary Red Grapes: Sciacarellu, Grenache, Vermentino
• White Grapes: 100 % White Vermentino

Muscat du Cap Corse AOC - Northern tip of island

• Wine Style: Vin Doux Naturel (Sweet Fortified Wine) 15-18% alcohol; RS  > 9.5%
• Primary Grape: 100% Muscat à Petits Grains

Vins de Pays (VDP’s) VDP wines are those typically produced with less restrictions and greater yields than those of AOC’s, but with more restrictions than VDT (Vin de Table) wines.

• VDP I’lle de Beauté  - ~60% Corsican wine production
• VDP Pays de Mediteranée - Includes Rhône, Provence, and Corsica

Not your usual Old World Wine suspect – for the adventurous, Corsican wines offer variety, quality, and value. Well worth a gambol. Cheers!

Corsica –  Part 1: Beyond Bonaparte

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