Set off on the road to Corsican wines, vineyards and grape varieties, you will meet Corsican winegrowers who have developed over time quality wines which have gained in precision, rewarded with 9 recognized AOCs. Today more than ever, Corsica is rising to the rank of the largest French wine regions. How could it be otherwise ! With an island culminating at 2000 meters in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, the Corsican vineyard can only enjoy an exceptional location, between sea and mountains with a Mediterranean climate and incredible sunshine.
Today the Corsican vineyard extends all around the coast of the island, covering nearly 7,000 ha which produce more than 117,000 hectoliters per year of AOC wines. If the Mediterranean climate guarantees heat and sun, the high rainfall in more mountainous areas provides humidity allowing good development of the vines.
Thus, there are more than 30 different grape varieties, the best known of which are Sciaccarellu, Nielluciu and Vermentinu. There are 9 Protected Designations of Origin, including the first of them, in 1968, Patrimonio. Let us also mention the AOP Ajaccio, Corsica Calvi, Corsica Coteaux du Cap Corse, … Without forgetting the Protected Geographical Indications which represent half of the wine production of the Isle of Beauty.
The 9 Protected Designations of Origin concern 111 municipalities in total, and three levels of classification:
· Corsica
· village (Calvi, Cap Corse, Porto Vecchio, Figari, Sartène)
· raw wines (ajaccio and patrimonio).
Go on the Corsican wine route
All you have to do is walk along the coast to tour the Corsican winegrowers. From the south to the north of Corsica, this wine route will take you to the hillsides of Cap Corse, Porto Vecchio in the south via Balagne. The winegrowers, the majority of whom are women, will be happy to share their know-how and their oenological heritage with you in tasting wines with unique bouquets.
The Corsican wine route will allow you to discover Corsica and its traditions, its landscapes and its cultural heritage. Don’t forget to stop and visit the port of Centuri, the tower of Macinaggio, the citadel of Calvi, the Gulf of Saint-Laurent, the towns of Bastia, Bonifacio, Patrimonio, …
For guided wine tours Oenotourisme.com has selected for you the most beautiful wine estates and the most beautiful cellars of the Corsican vineyards, to visit during the week or at the weekend for guided tours, walks in the vineyards and wine tastings with our passionate winegrowers. Create your own wine route, for a weekend discovering the vineyard, or during a long stay on a camping holiday in Corsica
