Corsica Pt 1 - Intro, Viticulture, Climate Flashcards
What is Corsica’s most important agricultural activity?
Viticulture followed by Dairy farming.
How much of Corsica’s wine production is by co-ops?
2/3rds. Four or five big companies are responsible for the bulk of this.
Where does most of Corsica’s co-op bottlings end up?
In French suermarkets at modest price points.
Why are the private domaines creating a buzz in Corsica?
They are creating artisanal wines, by young vignerons, using historic varieties and organic or biodynamic farming methods.
How are the artisanal wines of Corsica bottled/labelled?
As VDF as they cannot get approval for the historical grape varieties from INAO.
Which wines attract the highest prices in Corsica?
The rare, historical variety based wines. Terroir wines are not in vogue. Red and white are the top wines not rose.
How much of Corsican wine is consumed on the island?
50% with almost all of the rest being consumed on the France mainland.
When did Corsican wine culture begin? Is it the oldest wine region in France?
On the arrival of the Phocaeans in 570 BCE. Although this predates the arrival in Marseilles it was governed by Italy at that time. So Provence remains the “oldest wine region in France”.
Who followed the Phocaeans promoting wine culture in Corsica?
Romans - 2nd century BCE to 5th century CE.
Why did the Corsican populace flee the coastline after the fall of the Roman Empire?
Because of constant invasion of the coast by Moors and Saracens. This was followed by a rampant outbreak of malaria.
Which Italian state restored stability to Corsica?
Pisa in the 11th century. Viticulture and trade begain again.
Which grape was imported to from Italy to Corsica in the 11th century?
A clone of Sangiovese called Neilluccio(u)
Which Italian state ruled Corsica from the 12th to 18th century? What did they establish?
Genoa. They established strict laws on harvesting and winemaking and held the monopoly on all Corsican wine exports.
When was Corsica ceded to France?
1768 although they had to overcome the indepence movement by force.
Which famous french leader was born in Ajaccio of wealthy vineyard owners?
Napoleon Bonaparte.
