Corsica Flashcards
What is the most widely planted and utilized variety for white AOC production in Corsica?
Vermentino
Where are the vineyards of Corsica located?
Along the coastal areas
Inlands are mountaneous and not suited for vinegrowing
What absorbs most of the heat during the day and radiating back to the island during the night?
The sea surrounding Corsica
How many AOCs and IGPs in Corsica today?
- AOC: 4
- DCG: 5
- IGP: 2
What is the soil type found in Cape Corse which suits Vermentino?
Schist
What are three primary red grapes that must make up at least 50% of the blends in Vin de Corse AOC?
What is the predominant white grape of Vin de Corse AOC?
- Nielluciu
- Sciacarellu
- Grenache
- Vermentino
True or False
Viticulture is Corsica’s most important agricultural activity.
True
Dairy is the second
Which AOC has its southern portion of AOC covers some of Patrimonio AOC and the northern part covers some of the same terriotory as Coteaxu du Cap?
Muscat du Cap Corse AOC
What people contributed to resurgence in Corsica’s wine growing business in the early 1960s?
French colonists expelled from Algeria
Which pest attacks are prone in Corsica?
- Cicadas
Which AOC in Corsica must have at least 40% Sciaccarello in red and rose wines made?
Ajaccio AOC
True or False
White grapes account for approximately 1/3 of the total grape acreage. Corsica is better known for its reds.
True
What soil types are found in the East Coast of Corsica?
What one large AOC and one DGC are located there to deliver light-bodied fresh fruit forward whties, reds and roses?
- Sand mixed with granite
- Vin de Corse AOC
- Vin de Corse Porto Vecchio
Does Corsica place more emphasis on Red or White grapes?
Red
Only one quarter of the total grape acrege is White.
What soil type is found in Ajaccio region and what grape variety thrives there?
- High concentration of Granite
- Native Red grape - Sciaccarello producing richer full bodied wines than other parts of the island
What grape variety must make at least 80% of white wines of Ajaccio AOC?
- Vermentino
- The rest of blend can be Ugni Blanc
What is the major white grape for IGP wines along with Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc?
Chardonnay
What is the percentage of organic vineyards in Corsica?
21%
True or False
Climate change has NOT proven to be a major challenge in Corsica.
True
Due to sea breezes and cool air descending from the mountains to mitigate heat in the evening.
What is the climate of Corsica?
Mediterannean with oceanic and alpine influences.
What is a white grape variety known in Italy as Trebbiano and is grown in Corsica?
Ugni Blanc
What are the percentage of Rose production for IGP and AOC appellations?
- IGP: 70%
- AOC: 56%
Ile de Beaut IGP production percentages in 2020 were:
- 79%
- 11%
- 10%
Match Red, Rose and White wines to the percentage.
- 79% - Rose
- 11% - Red
- 10% - White
What is an IGP that encompasses the vineyards of Rhone, Provence and Corsica?
IGP Mediteranee
Which wine region claims the oldest viticulture in France?
Provence
Started in Marceille
Corisca was earlier however it was not a part of France then.
What was the Corsica’s first AOC?
Patrimonio in 1968
In the 19th century the French government launched several efforts to improve the island’s economy by promoting Corsica’s wine industy by having planted a grape variety.
What was the variety?
Sciaccarello
What is the most widely planted white AOC grape in Corsica?
Vermentino
True or False
Half of all wine produced in Corsica is consumed on the island itself and almost all of the rest is consumed in France.
True
Which is the second most planted red grape and cultivated in Corsica since the 1800s
Sciaccarello
Are Sparkling wines authorized to produce in Corsica?
No
This AOC produces VDN on the norhtern penisula of the island on clay-limestone terraces.
Name the AOC
Muscat du Cap Corse AOC
with 100% Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc
What is Corsica’s most widely planted red AOC grapes?
Niellucio (Sangiovese)
What is the percentage of AOC wine production in Corsica and for IGP?
- AOC: 51%
- IGP: 46%
Is Irrigation allowed in Patrimonio AOC?
No
Which AOC produces Vin Doux Naturel on the north peninsular of the island of Corsica?
Muscat du Cap Corse AOC
The wines must be 100% Muscat a Pettis Grains Blanc
What soil type is found in Patrimonio and what grape variety has found a home producting full bodied fruit forward reds with a tight core of minerality and a characteristic herb-scented aroma?
- Limestone and clay soils
- Nielluccio (Sangiovese)
Who were the first people to introduce formal viticulture to Corsica in 570 BCE?
The Phocaeans
Which Corsica AOC must have 90% Nielluccio in its red wine?
Patrimonio AOC
What was the first grape variety brought into Corsica and by who?
Sangiovese
When Corsica was controlled by Pisa.
It later named as Nellucciu
What is island-wide IGP that has the most of Corsica’s wine production (60%)?
Ile de Beaute (Island of Beuaty) IGP
Geologically Corsica is divided into two halves.
What soil type is found in most of the island (roughly from Calvi to Aleria and all points south) and what type of soil is found in the northeastern part?
- Granitic - south and most of the island
- Schistose with some limestone - north
What Italian grape variety was promoted by the Corsican government to promote the wine industry in the 19th century?
Mammolo - Italy (Sciacarellu)
Define “Flavescence Doree”
A phytoplasma diesase caused by bacteria introduced to the vine’s phloem by leafhoppers
This AOC covers the entire island of Corsica but production is largely centered on the east coast of the island.
Name the AOC
Vin de Corse AOC
What is a grape varitety responsible for the vibrant and boldly aromatic fortified dessert wines of the north peninsula of Cap Corse?
Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc
What is the most planted red variety in Corsica?
Nieluccio
Sangiovese clone
Which DGC in Vin de Corse disallows red variety Morraste (Graciano)?
Coteaux du Cap Corse
True or False
The island of Corsica is the most mountaneous island in the Mediterranean
True
What IGP produced 63% of Corsica’s wine production in 2020?
Ile de Beaute (Island of Beauty) IGP
Which grape variety is authorized for use in both red and rose wines within Vin de Corse and Ajaccio AOCs?
Barbaroux
Which AOC produces 80% of all Corsica’s AOC wine?
Vin de Corse AOC
What soil type is found in Cap Corse wine region?
And what white grape variety suits the soil type?
- Schist
- Vermentino (Rolle)
- Also low rainfall and strong dessicating winds encourage production of sweet wine
Who ruled Corsica from the 13th through 18th century and established strict laws governing harvest and winemaking practices and held the monopoly on all Corsican wine exports?
Genoa - Italian State
What is hot dry wind originating over the Sahara Desert which leaves a dusting of sand as it blows by called?
The Sirocco
What is westerly/southwesterly wind which brings rain to Corsica called?
Libecciu
Define “Esca”
A vine trunk diesase caused by pruning cuts (or frost) which allow fungi to enter the vine and kill it
What grape is predominant in granite soils of Ajaccio region?
Sciaccarello
Which Vin de Corse AOC DGC produces a famous Rose?
Corse Calvi
Produces famous Rose called Gris de Calvi
What is the highest peak in Corsica?
Monte Cinto at 9,000 ft/2,700 m
Able to maintain ice and snow even in the summertime
True or False
Currently two-thirds of Corsica’s total production is produced by co-operatives.
True
Four or five companies are responsible of the bulk of that and their ends destined for French supermarkets
Which Corsica AOC’s white wine must have 100% Vermentnio?
Patrimonio AOC
What red grape do the limestone and clays soils of Patrimino suit?
- Niellucio
Which AOC in Corsica requires 100% Vermentino for its white wine?
Patrimonio
Corsica’s first AOC
Who was the famous figure born in 1769 to wealthy Corsican vineyard owner in Ajaccio?
Napoleon Bonaparte
This regional AOC and its sub-appellations account for around 45% of all AOC wines produced in Corsica.
Name the appellation
Vin de Corse AOC
What is Italian red grape variety Mammolo known for in Corisca?
Sciaccarello
What wine style dominates Corsica’s production - Red, Rose or White?
Rose (70%)
What is “Liebecclu”?
A humid southwesterly wind that brings rain
What are five sub-appellations of Vin de Corse AOC?
- Corse Coteaux du Cap Corse (north)
- Corse Calvi (northwest)
- Caorse Sartene (southwest)
- Corse Figari (southwest)
- Corse Porto Vecchio (southeast)
What is a major red grape variety of IGP with nearly 30% of all IGP plantings?
- Merlot
- Cabernet Sauvginon and Pinot Noir along with Merlot account for 60% in Corsica