Corsica

Question 1

What is the climate of Corsica?

Answer 1

Mediterranean with oceanic and alpine influences

Question 2

What type of soil does Sciaccarello prefer?

Answer 2

Granite (as fond in Ajaccio)

Question 3

What is the name of Corsica’s island-wide IGP?

Answer 3

Ile de Beaute IGP

Question 4

What is Esca?

Answer 4

A vine trunk disease caused by pruning cuts (or frost) which allow fungi to enter the vine and kill it

Question 5

What is Flavescene doree?

Answer 5

A phytoplasma disease caused by bacteria introduced to the vine’s phloem by leafhoppers.

Question 6

What is Corsica’s largest AOC by size and production volume?

Answer 6

Vin de Corse/Corse AOC

Question 7

What type of wine is produced in the Muscat du Cap Corse AOC?

Answer 7

Vin Doux Naturel

Question 8

What group is credited with resuscitating Corsica’s vineyards in the early 1960s?

Answer 8

French colonists expelled from Algeria

Question 9

What is the highest mountain peak on Corsica?

Answer 9

Monte Cinto

Question 10

Where are Corsica’s vineyards located?

Answer 10

Around the coastline

The center of the island is a mountainous national park

Question 11

What style of wine does Corsica predominantly produce?

Answer 11

Rose (70% of production)

Red is slightly more common than white

Question 12

What is Liebecciu?

Answer 12

A humid, south-westerly wind that brings rain

Question 13

Which famous French political figure was born in Corsica?

Answer 13

Napoleon Bonaparte

Question 14

Which Vin de Corse/Corse AOC DCG produces a famous rose?

Answer 14

Corse Calvi produces Gris de Calvi

Question 15

What is the most widely planted red grape in Corsica?

Answer 15

Nieulluccio (Sangiovese)

(“Knee-loo-chi-oh”)

Question 16

Which island is located 11km south of Corsica?

Answer 16

Sardinia

Question 17

What are the main soil types of Corsica, and which grape varieties are they linked to?

Answer 17

Schist (northern 1/3rd) - Vermentino
Limestone & Clay (northern 1/3rd) - Nieulluccio (Sangiovese)
Granite (southern 2/3rd) - Sciaccarello

Question 18

Describe the Vin de Corse/Corse AOC.

Answer 18

Dry white, rose, and red wine

White grape: Vermentino
Red grapes: Grenache, Nielluccio, Sciaccarello

Whites must be at least 75% Vermentino
Reds and roses must be at least 50% of 3 above

Contains 5 DCGs labelled “Vin de Corse” or “Corse” + DCG name

Regional AOC that covers the entire island
Responsible for over 80% of Corsica’s AOC wine

Question 19

Describe the Patrimonio AOC.

Answer 19

Dry white, rose, and red wine

White grape: Vermentino
Red Grape: Nielluccio

White must be 100% Vermentino
Red must be primarily Nielluccio

Question 20

Describe the Ajaccio AOC.

Answer 20

Dry white, rose, and red wine

White grape: Vermentino
Red grapes: Nielluccio, Sciaccarello

Whites must be at least 80% Vermentino
Reds and roses must be at least 40% Sciaccarello

Question 21

Describe the Muscat du Cap Corse AOC.

Answer 21

Sweet fortified white wine only

White grape: Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc

Corsica’s only AOC for VDNs

Question 22

Describe the Ile de Beaute IGP.

Answer 22

Dry white, rose, and red wine

Production is primarily rose

IGP covers the entire island
Responsible for over 60% of all Corsica’s wine

(“ill-de-buh-tay”)

Question 23

What is the most widely planted white grape in Corsica?

Answer 23

Vermentino