Corsica Flashcards
Where is Corsica
Med
50 miles Italy
100 miles France
Above Sardinia
What are the 4 appelations and 5 DGCs of Corsica
Ajaccio
Muscat du Cap Corse
Patrimonio
Corse
Corse Coteaux de Cap Corse
Corse Calvi
Corse Porto Vecchio
Corse Figari
Corse Sartene
What is the role of co-operatives in Corsica
70% of wine from co-ops
There are
4 co-op cellars
160 co-op producers and
135 private producers
What is the split of wine - red, white rose
Rose =70%
Red=17%
White (all styles)=13%
What is the split of trade from Corsican wines
35% island
45% Mainland France
20% Exported
What type of Corsican wines are currently in vogue?
Rose and Indigenous varities??
Which civilisation brought wines to Corsica
Phocaeans
Which country was Corsica ruled by up to the 18c and what infulence did it have on wines
Italy (Genoa)
No wine to be exported except to Genoa
Who ruled Corsica from 1766
France
Napoleon was born in Corsica
What was the influence of the pieds noir
Influx of Algerian workers in 1960s - expanded vineyard area
Describe the climate of Corsica
The Mediterranean climate.
Influence of sea and mountains.
Summers are hot and dry while winters are very mild
exceptional sunshine, with 2885 hours of sunshine per year on average.
Mountain areas provides strong rainfall, as well as the cross-influence of the mistral from Provence, the libeccio from Gibraltar and the tramontana from the north-west. The juxtaposition of microclimates draws outlines of wines with multiple characters
Which winds influence Corsican weather
Mistral from Provence
Libeccio (Leveche) from Gibraltar brings rain
Tramontana from the north-west (Alps).- dry and cold
from Gibraltar bringing rain; the dry, cold tramontane from the Alps; Gregale from the Appenines - damp;
Sirocco blowing in from the Sahara.- warmth
Levante
Ponante
What are the main topographical features of Corsica
More than 20 peaks over 2,000 m in elevation, over 55% of the surface area of the island lies above 400 m elevation, creating an array of valleys and hillsides
What are the four main soil types in Corsica
Schist in the north and the Cap Corse;
chalk and clay in Patrimonio immediately south of it;
marly sand and alluvial soils to Bastia on the east coast.
Granite on west coast
Which grapes are associated with the Schist of north and cap corse
This is the Muscat region.
Also Vermentino and Codivarta
Which grapes are associated with the chalk and clay In Patrimonio
Red Neilluccio
Has been Grenache, but from 2000, Nielluccio must account for 90% of the blend in red wines and Vermentino for 100% in the white.
Niellucciu, probably introduced by the Genoese before the 18th century, was the most planted variety, accounting for 35% of vineyard area or 1,537 ha/3,955 acres in 2013, many of them in the north of the island, where it thrives on the calcareous-clay soils of Patrimonio. Nielluccio may be vinified as either a rosé or, if well vinified, an intensely coloured red with good, structured tannins and a balanced acidity.
Which grapes are associated with the Marly sand and alluvial soil of the east coast
Niellucciu (sangiovese), Sciacarellu (mammolo), and vermentino (Favorita) are the important Corsican varieties, representing more than two-thirds of all AOC wines, while international varieties comprise about a quarter of vines planted on the island, having displaced the traditional varieties Cinsaut, Carignan, Grenache, and Alicante Bouschet.??
Which grapes are associated with the granite of the west coast
Plantings of Sciacarellu had grown to 1,020 ha/2,520 acres ha by 2013. It is most successful on the granitic south west coast between Ajaccio and Sartène, producing relatively crisp, peppery reds and rosés, light in colour but high in alcohol. It is often blended with Nielluccio or Grenache.
Which are the 2 vineyard diseases impacting Corsican vineyards
Esca trunk disease
and
Flavescence dorée provoked by cicadelle attack.
Winds prevent disease
Describe Neiluccio (sangiovese)
Bright to deep red colour: ruby to garnet with shades of purple
Notes of red and black fruits, woody nuances with butter and undergrowth and, on ageing, spices, empyreumatic, balsamic with an animal touch.
Rich, round, long, full-bodied and flesh
Describe Sciacarellu (Mamallo)
Light red colour (cherry), towards ruby
Notes of red berries, spicy and peppery, burnt wood and, on ageing, old leather, candied raspberries
Medium-bodied, round and balanced
Desccribe Vermentinu (vermentino/Favorita)
Light yellow colour with golden reflections.
Floral (white flowers, hawthorn), fruity (citrus) and vegetal notes
Balanced, rich, ample and powerful
Describe Muscat Petit Grains
Pale yellow colour with yellow-green reflections
Fruity, floral, vegetal notes, on ageing, candied fruit, gingerbread.
Complex, intense and of great finesse
Describe Barbarossa
Pale yellow to golden colour with occasional pink reflections.
Floral notes such as white flowers (hawthorn), smoky and fruity (citrus, mint)
Balanced, full-bodied, long