Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

French Wine Scholar > Corsica > Flashcards

Corsica Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
French flashcards WSET ® Level 1 Wine flashcards AP® French flashcards WSET ® Level 2 Wine flashcards WSET ® Level 3 Wine flashcards WSET ® Level 2 Spirits flashcards WSET ® Level 1 Spirits flashcards Wine Appreciation flashcards Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) flashcards WSET ® Level 3 Spirits flashcards
1
Q

How much of Corsica’s total wine production is produced by co-operatives?

A

Two-thirds

4 or 5 big companies are responsible for the bulk of that.
Most of these bottlings end up in French supermarkets at modest price points.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Where is Corsica located?

A

This region is located in the Mediterranean Sea 100mi/160km southeasth of France, 7mi/11km north of the island of Sardinia and 50mi/80km west of Italy.

Many of the winemaking traditions and grapes are of Italian origin due to its closer proximity to Italy and long history of Italian rule.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the climate in Corsica?

A

Mediterranean
With oceanic and alpine influences.
It is hotter and drier here than in mainland France.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the winds that influence the climate in Corsica?

A
  • Mistral, Tramontane & Gregale: Cool, dry northerly winds chase away humidity, reduce disease pressure and help to lower summer temperatures
  • Libecciu: westerly/southwesterly wind brings rain
  • Sirocco: hot, dry wind originating over the Sahara Desert, leaves a dusting of sand as it blows by
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How much sunshine does Corsica receive?

A

2,470-2,885 hours per year

The nearby sea absorbs most of the heat during the day and radiates it back to the island at night. This minimizes daytime/nighttime temperature fluctuations, except at higher elevations.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How much rainfall does Corsica receive?

A

A median of 29in/737mm annually (the ideal rainfall level for vines).

Very little rain falls during the months of August & September, allowing for dry, rot-free harvests and little vintage variation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the 2 geological halves that Corsica is divided into?

A
  • Granitic: Most of the island, roughly from Calvi to Aleria and all points south
  • Schistose with some limestone: the northeastern part

This mountainous topography was created during the collision of the African/Arabian and Eurasian tectonic plates; the same event that created the Alps.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How mountainous is the region of Corsica?

A
  • 20% of the surface area lies at more than 3,280ft/1,000m in elevation
  • Monte Cinto, the highest peak, is 8,877ft/2,706m; it is able to maintain ice and snow even in the summer
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Where are the vineyards of Corsica planted?

A

In a ring all along the island’s coastline at an average elevation of 985ft/300m above sea level.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What soil types are found in Corsica? And what are their designated grape varieties?

A
  • Northern peninsula/Cap Corse: mainly schist; Vermentino & Muscat
  • Patrimonio (Southwest of Cap Corse): Limestone & clay; Nielluccio (full-bodied, fruit-forward reds with a characteristic herb-scented aroma)
  • Ajaccio: high concentration of granite; Sciaccarello (richer & more full-bodied wines than other parts of the island from the same grape)
  • East coast: Marly sand mixed with granite; light-bodied, fresh, fruit-driven whites, reds & roses
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How much area does Corsica have under vine?

A

14,282ac/5,780ha (2020)

one quart of this is white; more emphasis is on red grapes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What percentage of wine production in Corsica is AOC, IGP or Vin de France?

A
  • 51% AOC
  • 46% IGP
  • 3% Vin de France
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Name the white grape varieties of Corsica.

A
  • Vermentino: the most widely planted and utilized variety for white AOC production; it can also be incorporated into most roses and reds

Others: Biancu Gentile, Codivarta, Genovese, Ugni Blanc & Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Name the rose/gris grape varieties of Corsica.

A

Barbaroux: authorized for use in red & rose wines w/in the Vin de Corse and Ajaccio AOCs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Name the red grape varieties of Corsica.

A
  • Nielluccio: a Sangiovese clone; most planted red variety; has been cultivated on the island for over 1,000 years
  • Sciaccarello: known as Mammolo in Italy; cultivated here since the 1800s

Others: Grenache, Aleatico, Carcajolo, Carignan, Cinsaut, Morrastel, Mourvedre & Syrah

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Rank the grape varieties grown in Corsica from widest to least.

A
  1. Nielluccio (22%)
  2. Sciaccarello (19%)
  3. Vermentino (17%)
  4. Grenache Noir (10%)
  5. Muscat(s) (5%)
    Other red (23%)
    Other white (4%)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What vine training method is used in Corsica?

A
  • Gobelet: traditionally
  • Guyot (single): modern viticultural practice & mechanical harvesting have encouraged more widespread use of this and cordon training styles
18
Q

Is irrigation permitted in Corsica?

A

This is largely prohibited but is allowed under special conditions and by special request in all AOC regions except Patrimonio.

19
Q

What threats do the vineyards of Corsica face?

A
  • Cicadas
  • Esca: a trunk disease affecting mature vines. Pruning cust (or frost) may enable fungi to enter the vine and kill it. Leaves display red stripes (on red grapevines) or golden stripes (on white grapevines) before the vine dies or dries out completely. Infected vines must be grubbed up.
  • Flavescence doree: a phytoplasma disease caused by bacteria introduced to the vine’s phloem by leafhoppers (insects). This results in the yellowing of leaves, the death of young vines and a reduction of yields in older vines. Shoots do not lignify into canes. Infected vines must be grubbed up.
20
Q

What percentage of Corsica’s vineyards are farmed organically?

A

21%

21
Q

How does climate change influenced the vines in Corsica?

A

Sea breezes and cool air descending from the mountains each evening mitigate heat well enough for this not to present any challenges.
However, growers are increasingly interested in planting vineyards at higher elevations.

22
Q

What percentage of Corsica’s total wine production is rose, red or white?

A
  • 70% rose
  • 17% red
  • 13% white
    Note: two-thirds of this is bottled as IGP.

AOC statistics:
* 56% rose
* 28% red
* 16% white

A small percentage of fortified VDN is made from Muscat; no sparkling wines are authorized.

23
Q

Name the appellations of Corsica.

A
  1. Vin de Corse/Corse AOC (1972): 57% of production
    * Corse AOC Sartene: 8%
    * Corse AOC Calvi: 7%
    * Corse AOC Figari: 5%
    * Corse AOC Porto-Vecchio: 3%
  2. Patrimonio AOC (1968): 12%
  3. Ajaccio AOC (1971 as Coteaux d’Ajaccio): 7%
  4. Muscat du Cap Corse AOC (1997)
    Other: 1%

CIVC 2020

24
Q

What is Corsica’s regional AOC?

A

Vin de Corse AOC/ Corse AOC

This encompasses the entire island; but its largest production zone lies along the eastern seafront, extending between Bastia and Sari-Solenzara.

25
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Corse AOC?

A
  • Dry White: min. 75% Vermentino
  • Rose: min. 50% Nielluccio, Sciaccarello and/or Grenache; secondary red varieties, Vermentino & Barbaroux can be added
  • Red: same as rose
26
Q

Which grape varieties are permitted in Corse AOC?

A

White:
* [P] Vermentino
* [S] Biancu Gentile, Codivarta, Genovese, Ugni Blanc

Rose/Gris:
* [S] Barbaroux

Red:
* [P] Grenache, Nielluccio, Sciaccarello
* [S] Aleatico, Carcajolo, Carignan, Cinsaut, Morrastel, Mourvedre, Syrah

27
Q

Name the 5 DGCs of Corse AOC.

A
  1. Coteaux du Cap Corse (North): must have higher % of primary varieties; the red Morrastel grape is disallowed
  2. Calvi (Northwest): produces a famous rose called Gris d Calvi
  3. Sartene (Southwest): slightly longer aging requirements for red
  4. Porto-Vecchio (Southeast)
  5. Figari (South): slightly longer aging requirements for red

Blending formulas are the same as for Corse AOC, except for Coteaux du Cap Corse.
Generally, these DGCs mandate lower yields than the Corse AOC.

28
Q

Which appellation was Corsica’s first AOC?

A

Patrimonio AOC

29
Q

Where is Patrimonio AOC located?

A

South & southwest of Cap Corse.

30
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Patrimonio AOC?

A
  • Dry White: 100% Vermentino
  • Rose: primarily Nielluccio, can be complemented with Sciaccarello, Grenache and/or Vermentino
  • Red: same as rose
31
Q

Which grape varieties are permitted in Patrimonio AOC?

A

White:
* [P] Vermentino

Red:
* [P] Nielluccio
* [S] Grenache, Sciaccarello

32
Q

Where is Ajaccia AOC located?

A

This appellations vineyards surround the southwestern coastal town of Ajaccio in Corsica.

33
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Ajaccia AOC?

A
  • Dry White: min. 80% Vermentino
  • Rose: min. 40% Sciaccarello; Nielluccio is the principal blending partner
  • Red: same as rose

Produces mostly medium-bodied red & rose wines.

34
Q

Which grape varieties are permitted in Ajaccia AOC?

A

White:
* [P] Vermentino
* [S] Biancu Gentile, Codivarta, Genovese, Ugni Blanc

Rose/Gris:
* [S] Barbaroux

Red:
* [P] Nielluccio, Sciaccarello
* [S] Aleatico, Carcajolo, Carignan, Cinsaut, Grenache, Morrastel

35
Q

Where is Muscat du Cap Corse AOC located?

A

On the northern peninsula of Corsica.
The vineyards are planted on terraces.

The southern portion covers some of the Patrimonio AOC.
The northern part covers some of the same territory as Coteaux du Cap Corse.

36
Q

What soil types are found in Muscat du Cap Corse AOC?

A

Clay-limestone

37
Q

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

A

Fortified White/VDN: 100% Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc

Min. 9% (90g/l) RS
15-18% abv

38
Q

Name the IGPs of Corsica.

A
  • Ile de Beaute (Island of Beauty) IGP: 63% of Corsica’s wine production was made under this island-wide IGP designation in 2020
  • Mediterranee IGP: this encompasses vineyards in the Rhone Valley, Provence & Corsica; only a small amount is produced
39
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Ile de Beaute IGP?

A
  • Dry White: 10% of production (2020)
  • Rose: 79%
  • Red: 11%
40
Q

Which grape varieties are permitted in Ile de Beaute IGP?

A

White:
* [P] Vermentino, Chardonnay, along with other indigenous, mainland France and international varieties

Rose/Gris:
* [P] Barbaroux, Grenache Gris, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Gris

Red:
* [P] Nielluccio, Sciaccarello, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Syrah, along with other indigenous, mainland France and international varieties

French Wine Scholar (34 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions