Discovering the Corsican wine route

For this route of Corsican wines, our journey begins in the north of the island, not the far north, which will be our arrival point, but around the Gulf of Saint-Florent, where Patrimonio is produced. The AOC vineyards extend over the communes of Patrimonio, Barbaggio, Saint-Florent, Farinole, Oletta, Poggio d'Oletta and Santo-Pietro-di-Tenda.

This corner of Haute-Corse produces remarkable wines that owe their high quality to the expertise of the winegrowers. Made from Vermentino grapes, the white wines are full of bouquet, while the reds and rosés are made from Nielluccio and a small proportion of Grenache, Sciaccarello and Vermentino. This combination gives the red wines a full, robust body.

A little further along the city's west coast, you come to Calvi, around which the AOC Corse Calvi vineyards stretch, covering the cantons of Belgodère, Calenzana, Calvi and Ile Rousse. Only 12 producers work the 276 hectares of this vineyard, whose wines make no secret of their frank character and strong personality. It's a perfect match for the magnificent Balagne region, with its hilltop villages overlooking the sea.

Still along the coast, a little further south, a panorama of light, beaches, rocky peaks and cliffs opens up, with small islands in the distance... It is in this enchanting setting that Ajaccio and above all its vineyards can be discovered. 240 hectares are classified as AOC and, along with AOC Patrimonio, are one of only two Appellations to have been the subject of a specific decree.

With 2,750 hours of sunshine a year, Sciaccarello, the star black grape variety of this terroir, expresses all its character, producing red wines with blackcurrant and almond aromas and a harmonious structure. The whites, made almost exclusively from Vermentino (although some Ugni blanc is permitted), are mineral and floral.

Leaving Ajaccio, the south of Corsica comes into view, with its arid, windy landscape. Here, the AOC Vin de Corse Sartène reigns supreme, with vineyards covering 163 hectares on the Ortolo and Rizzanese hillsides. What makes this wine so special is that it is aged in oak barrels and then in casks. You could describe them as an iron fist in a velvet glove.

The southernmost part of Corsica is reached with what is undoubtedly the oldest vineyard in Corsica, the AOC Vin de Corse Figari. Covering the communes of Figari, Monacia-d'Aullène and Pianottoli-Caldarello, the vineyards are subject to a harsh, windy climate. Despite this, the wines produced here, made from Vermentino (for the whites) and Carcajolo Nero, Grenache, Niellucio and Sciaccarello (for the reds and rosés), although full-bodied, have great finesse.

The Corsican wine route now takes us to the east coast of Corsica. Located around the town of Porto-Vecchio, the AOC Vin de Corse Porto-Vecchio vineyards stretch over just 90 hectares between Solenzara and Bonifacio. Produced from Niellucio, Sciaccarello and Grenache grapes, the red wines are elegant and round. The dry, fruity whites are made exclusively from Vermentino.

The route continues northwards. The AOC Vin de Corse vineyards stretch between Salenza and Bastia, covering an area of around 1,700 hectares. While the wines from these vineyards did not enjoy a good reputation just a few years ago, they are now of excellent quality, thanks in particular to the use of ancient grape varieties. AOC Vins de Corse wines now boast a remarkable bouquet for the reds and a pleasant fruitiness for the whites.

The end of this tour of Corsica takes us to the very north of the island, to Cap Corse. AOC Muscat du Cap Corse is produced here, with its complex aromas of figs, hazelnuts, candied fruit and citrus fruit, its long finish and its softness, making it one of the best Muscats in the world.

In Figari, the Domaine de Peretti della Rocca welcomes you to a sumptuous setting: in the middle of the vineyards. This charming house, decorated in a warm, modern style, even has an infinity pool with a view over the vineyards. At the estate's restaurant, local produce is given pride of place, accompanied, of course, by a delicious glass of wine. In short, a fine, intimate address for all epicureans!