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Corsican Wine

Of course, the perfect accompaniment to good food is fine wine, and there is no shortage in Corsica! Wine is produced throughout the island, the better known being those from Patrimonio, Cap Corse, and the Sartenais in the southwest. Generally speaking, red and rose wines are more popular than white, although there are now some excellent whites including those from the Clos Nicrosi who produce some of the finest from their Rogliani domaine. The reds tend to be heavy, but are often very good. Domaine de Gioelli (Cap Corse) produce an unusual sweet red wine called Rapu which is drunk either before or after meals rather than with them. The rose is excellent, particularly the rose gris, a delicately pale pink in colour and light on the palate. Rose is best drunk chilled on summer evenings. Most famous of all perhaps is Corsican muscat - drunk everywhere as an aperitif, and quite luscious.

As with food it is almost impossible to recommend wines, because everyone's taste is so varied, but we've put together a list of some of our favouirte 'Domaines' in the area that are worth visiting;

Calvi & the Balagne (north west)

• Domaine de la Figarella - one of our favourites, follow the road towards the airport and turn right about 2km before you reach the airport. Offers a good selection and they are happy to let you taste.
• Domaine d'Alzipratu - Follow the road towards Calenzana and the Domaine is on the left just past the village in the direction of Zilia. Very good red and rose.
• Domaine Orsini - Follow the road towards Calenzana and the Domaine is on the right before you reach the village (you will see the signs). Good selection of wines, aperitifs and local produce such as jams, sweets etc.
• Domaine Renucci - Next to the Hotel Mare e Monti in Feliceto. Follow the D71 and you will see the hotel as you pass through the village. A lovely rose and good reds.

Saint Florent, Patrimonio and Cap Corse (north east)

• Cave Lazzarini - one of my favourites, you can visit the shop in the centre of Saint Florent or the Domaine on the D81 road out to Patrimonio. Their red won a gold medal last year and the muscat is some of the best on the island. They also produce some excellent fruit wines and the vin d'orange is particularly nice.
• Orenga de Gaffroy - on the D82 road between Saint Florent and Oletta. They produce a particularly crisp, fruity white which always reminds me of summer.
• Clos Nicrosi - Follow the D80 north from Bastia to the Cap Corse, and right at the top you will pass through the village of Rogliano. Here they produce one of Corsica's finest white wines, but demand far outstrips supply, so it is very sought after.
• Domaine de Gioelli - also at Rogliano at the top of Cap Corse (follow the D80 north from Bastia). They produce an unusual sweet red wine called Rapu.

Sartene, Propriano and the Valinco (south west)

• Domaine Fiumiccicoli - between Sartene and Propriano, the 2002 red is particularly nice

In all of these regions you can visit the vineyard and sample the wines, the vignerons are generally very hospitable and keen for you to try their products. Most vineyards sell by the litre as well as in bottles. A Corsican speciality, not to be missed is the local muscat. This sweet, fruity dessert wine is produced in the Cap Corse. Also delicious served well chilled as an aperitif.

Aperitifs As well as the range of wines, Corsica also produces an excellentional variety of aperitifs including Cap Corse, a fortified wine from the tip of the Cap which tastes a bit like Martini Rosso, muscat of course, and various fruit liqueurs such as Vin d'Orange, Creme de Chaitaigne (chestnuts), Cedratine (made from the cedrat fruit) and Casanis, a Pernod-style drink taken with water. They also produce their own beer called Pietra. Water Corsica has three mineral water plants; Zilia and San Georges which produce still water (plat) and Orezza which produces a sparkling water with a very distinctive taste (gazeuse).

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