Corsica wine region French wine region guide: location, history, appellations, grapes & food
Corsica, the "Isle of Beauty", is a Mediterranean island with a unique wine identity, combining French and Italian heritage and native grapes such as Niellucciu, Sciaccarellu and Vermentinu.
More info about the Corsica wine region
Geographic position
The Mediterranean island of Corsica, about 170 km southeast of the French mainland and north of Sardinia, with vineyards on coastal hills and plains around Patrimonio, Ajaccio, Calvi, Porto-Vecchio, Sartène and along the eastern plain.
Origin & history
Greek settlers from Phocaea planted vines at Aleria around 565 BC. The island was ruled by Genoa for centuries, which explains its Italian grapes, before becoming French in 1768. After 1960, returning settlers from Algeria planted the eastern plain, and a focus on quality and native varieties has since transformed the island's wines.
Main appellations & varieties
Patrimonio, Ajaccio, Vin de Corse (with Calvi, Sartène, Porto-Vecchio and other crus), Muscat du Cap Corse and IGP Île de Beauté. Main grapes are Niellucciu (Sangiovese), Sciaccarellu and Vermentinu, plus Grenache.
Food specialties
Corsican charcuterie such as figatellu, lonzu and coppa, brocciu cheese, wild boar stew, chestnut flour dishes, fiadone cheesecake, and fresh seafood.