Corsica's vineyards ring an island that is essentially a mountain in the sea. Italian in grape heritage and French in appellation law, the island grows Nielluccio (Sangiovese) on the limestone of Patrimonio, peppery Sciaccarellu on the granite of Ajaccio, and Vermentinu for whites that carry the salt of the coast and the wild herbs of the maquis.
Appellations to know
For each one: the bottle that defines it, and the bottle that over-delivers. Indicative retail prices, not an offer to sell.
Patrimonio
Limestone Nielluccio: firm, savoury, the island's benchmark
Best wine
€45
Antoine Arena Carco Rouge
Limestone Nielluccio; firm, savoury, the island's benchmark red.
Best value
€22
Domaine Giacometti Cru des Agriates
Granite-edge Nielluccio with real Patrimonio character.
Ajaccio
Granite Sciaccarellu — pale, peppery, almost Pinot-like
Best wine
€120
Comte Abbatucci Cuvée Collection Général de la Révolution
Biodynamic old Corsican varieties; Corsica's most collected wine.
Best value
€20
Clos d'Alzeto Ajaccio Rouge
Granite Sciaccarellu, pale and peppery, at everyday price.
Muscat du Cap Corse
Fortified Muscat, orange blossom and citrus peel
Best wine
€38
Clos Nicrosi Muscat du Cap Corse
Orange blossom and citrus peel from steep coastal terraces.
Best value
€24
Domaine Pieretti Muscat
Fresher, lighter fortified Muscat from the east coast.
Vin de Corse Figari
The oldest, windiest, driest terroir on the island
Best wine
€40
Clos Canarelli Figari Rouge
The island's most precise winemaking on its driest terroir.
Best value
€16
Domaine de Tanella Figari
Windswept, herbal Corsican red for the table.
The most expensive areas
Typical retail
Where land, scarcity and reputation push prices highest in Corse. Indicative bottle prices for benchmark producers, not an offer to sell.
- 01
Patrimonio (Antoine Arena, Yves Leccia)
€30–90
Limestone Nielluccio; the island's most collected reds.
- 02
Ajaccio (Clos d’Alzeto, Comte Abbatucci)
€35–120
Abbatucci's biodynamic cuvées are Corsica's priciest.
- 03
Muscat du Cap Corse
€25–60
Steep coastal terraces, fortified and hand-picked.
- 04
Figari old vines
€25–55
The driest, windiest terroir; minute yields.
What's produced
At the table
- Wild boar stew
- Brocciu
- Grilled sea bream
- Fiadone with Muscat