Wines of Corsica

Covering nearly 8,000 hectares, Corsica's vineyards are spread across the island's entire coastline and boast nine appellations d'origine contrôlée (AOC), including the renowned wines of Figari, Ajaccio, and Patrimonio. 

Among the most commonly used grape varieties, most of which are specific to Corsica, are Niellucciu, Sciaccarellu, Aléatico, and Barbarossa for red and rosé wines, and Vermentinu and Bianco Gentile for white wine.

Geography and characteristics of Corsican wines

Corsica enjoys unparalleled sunshine in France, even in winter, while benefiting from the cool sea breeze, microclimates in the valleys, and a good balance that prevents vine diseases and water stress. The Corsican vineyard covers more than 8,000 hectares, divided into a regional appellation Vins de Corse, two cru appellations Ajaccio and Patrimonio, five village appellations Corse Calvi, Corse Coteaux du Cap Corse, Corse Figari, Corse Porto-Vecchio, Corse Sartene, and a Vin Doux Naturel (VDN) appellation. Muscat of Cap Corse. Its soils consist of limestone in the north and south of the island, granite in the west, schist in the east, and sedimentary alluvium in the center. There is also the appellation IGP Isle of Beauty which exists, allowing Corsican wines to be authenticated.

The best Corsican wines, most appreciated by connoisseurs, are made from local grape varieties, the result of the island's long history of winegrowing. There are around thirty varieties, including Paga Debiti, Malvoisie, Vermentino, Carcajolo Blanc, and Bianco Gentile for white wines; Nielluccio, Sciarcello, and Carcajolo Noir for red wines. Enough to take you on a journey with just a glass in your hand. 

Among the must-see estates on the Isle of Beauty are Domaine Renucci, in the Corse Calvi AOC, run by Bernard Renucci since 1991; Clos Canarelli, led by Yves Canarelli in Figari, at the foot of the Omu di Cagna massif near Bonifacio, producing a very fresh and mineral high-end Corsican wine, made using biodynamic methods; and Domaine Comte Abbatucci, one of the oldest vineyards on the island, located in the Taravo Valley, where Jean-Charles Abbatucci works with no less than 18 indigenous grape varieties, also using biodynamic methods. In addition, there are other typical estates on the Isle of Beauty that are unique in character: E Croce Yves Leccia, Clos Poggiale, Antoine Arena, Clos Signadore and Nicolas Mariotti-Bindi.

Food and wine pairings

White and rosé wines are the perfect accompaniment to many appetizers, fish and seafood starters, and goat and sheep cheese platters such as brocciu. Red wines, such as a Faustine Red 2018, pair well with dishes such as lamb with olives, kid goat with rosemary, or osso buco, as well as with a platter of local charcuterie (figatellu, lonzu, prisuttu).