2025 Wines from Corsica

Welcome to Corsica, a French island with an Italian accent but a personality entirely of its own.

If you’re a wine lover looking for a unique and unforgettable wine experience, Corsica is definitely a wine region you can’t afford to miss. Let’s explore why.

What makes Corsica wine region so special?

With rugged coastlines, heavenly beaches and majestic mountains, Corsica’s breathtaking natural beauty is obviously one the first reasons to visit the Mediterranean island. But beyond these natural assets, the place also boasts a fascinating history and a rich cultural heritage. Both contributed to shape the character of Corsican wines.

Before unveiling its wine secrets, let’s first have a look at a map to see where Corsica is located.

Nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean sea, Corsica is an island located 170 km (106 mi) south-east of continental France, 90 km (56 mi) west of continental Italy and only 12 km (7 mi) north of Sardinia.

Though geographically and culturally closer to Italy, Corsica is part of France since the French gained control of the island with the Treaty of Versailles in 1768.

That being said, let’s dive into what makes Corsica wine region worth visiting.

Corsica’s wine history

Next time you pour yourself a glass of Corsican wine, bear in mind that you’re sipping almost 26 centuries of history!

A Greek influence

Wild grapevine probably existed on the island long before the arrival of the Greeks. But Corsica’s winemaking history dates back to the settlement of the Phoceans on the east coast. Around 565 BC, they founded the trading post of Alalia (known today as Aleria) and introduced wine to the region, both as a culture and a production.

They were the first to realize that Corsica’s climate and geology were perfectly suited for winegrowing.

After the battle of Alalia opposing the Greeks to the allied Etruscans and Carthaginians, Corsica passed into Etruscan hands.

The Italian influence

Foreigners often wonder why Corsica is French and not Italian as Italy is closer from a geographic point of view. And indeed the Italian influence is very much noticeable in Corsica, both in the architecture and in the culture.

When it comes to wine, Italy also contributed to shape the history of Corsican wine, and it started with the arrival of the Etruscans coming from Ancient Italy.

The Etruscans were known for their love of wine but they were also skilled winemakers. So we can assume that they continued to develop the viticulture during their time on the island.

Soon after the First Punic War opposing the Roman and the Carthaginian Empires, the Romans gained control of Corsica. The island became a province of the Roman Empire together with Sardinia.

The Romans played a major role in the history of Corsican wine as they brought along their extensive agronomic knowledge and used it to further improve winegrowing and winemaking techniques on the island.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Corsica endured several centuries of invasions. Not such a great climate for the viticulture to thrive.

In the 11th century, Corsica passed into the hands of the Pisans. Wine regained a major commercial role, partly thanks to the influence of the Church.

Corsica became a reputed wine exporting region in the 12th century. The wines of the Cap Corse in particular were highly praised.

Viticulture pursued its development after the Republic of Genoa took over Corsica in the 13th century.

During their long rule over the island, the Genoese implemented strict guidelines governing wine harvest and winemaking practices. They also developed the exportations (mainly towards Italy), though strongly controlling them.

The French arrive

In 1768, via the Treaty of Versailles, the Genoese handed over the island to the French. That’s when Corsica officially became a part of France.

Not such a bad thing at first for the viticulture of the island. Between 1788 and 1896, the Corsican wine production more than doubled.

However, this prosperous period came to an abrupt end when powdery mildew and phylloxera hit Corsica and decimated a great part of the vineyards.

Corsican viticulture then faced overproduction and collapsing prices in the early 20th century. The First World War delivered the final blow.

As a direct consequence of the successive crises, a great part of the Corsican vineyard vanished.

Wine became a real economic sector again in the 1960s, with the arrival of the “Pieds-Noirs”, repatriated from Algeria. While the vineyard started to expand again, Corsican wines slowly began to change.

A new and more industrialized viticulture was born. It relied on the plantation of high-yielding mainland grape varieties (Carignan, Cinsault and Grenache among others) and an excessive use of chaptalization. For Corsican wines, this mass-production resulted in a degraded image and a loss of their typicity. The native grapes accounted for only 13% of the vineyard in 1968, against 70% in 1960.

Hopefully, the shift in consumer demand towards more quality, as well as new regulations about chaptalization, put a stop to the expansion of this mass-viticulture.

Economic and political crises, massive uprootings… this resulted in a huge decrease of the Corsican vineyard surface area along the years.

Corsican winemakers started reorienting the production towards quality and authenticity.

The French National Institute for Origin and Quality (INAO) granted PATRIMONIO the first “Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée” (Protected Designation of Origin) of Corsica in 1968, acknowledging the undeniable quality of Corsican wines.

But more importantly, Corsican winegrowers slowly began to reconnect with their roots and history.

The Riacquistu

In the 1960s, Antoine Abbatucci, President of the Corsican Chamber of Agriculture at that time, initiated an extensive work to collect, save and protect old indigenous grape varieties. A work perpetuated by his son, Jean-Charles Abbatucci, who made Domaine Comte Abbatucci the first ampelographic conservatory of Corsica.

In parallel, the birth of the “Riacquistu” (reacquisition) cultural movement in the 1970s, marked another turning point for the evolution of Corsican wines. This movement advocating a re-appropriation by the Corsicans of their identity and a return to the authenticity of the Corsican culture (language, music, traditions…) had an impact on many other sectors, including the agriculture.

For many winegrowers, it translated into a desire to regain the singular identity of their wines by focusing on what made Corsican wines unique: the terroirs, the artisanal winemaking heritage and the Corsican native grape varieties.

In 1982, the Corsican Institute for Vines & Wine Research (CRVI de Corse) was created. Its mission was, and still is, to help the island’s wine sector reinforce the typicality and uniqueness of Corsican wines. This particularly involves the characterization and valorization of Corsica’s many vineyards, terroirs, and grape varieties, as well as the continuous search of the best adequacy between them.

Today…

Over the years, Corsican wines have succeeded in improving their image by reinforcing their distinctiveness.

Corsica now accounts for 9 PDO revealing the different facets of Corsican identity.

These efforts also helped them gain international recognition.

In 2017, Jane Anson referred to Corsica as one of “the most exciting wine destinations in France” in an Decanter’s article.

Years later, it still is.

Anchored to its rich past and history, Corsican viticulture is also focused on the future, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and a generation of young winemakers that are determined to keep Corsica on the wine world’s map by constantly trying to improve the quality and distinctiveness of the island’s production.

Want to discover and taste the specificity of Corsican Wines:

Experience one of our private guided wine tours in Corsica

Welcome to Corsican Terroir

Corsican wines are a true reflection of the island’s diverse and remarkable terroir.

Nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean, Corsica boasts a unique blend of landscapes, climates, and soils that contribute to its exceptional winemaking heritage.

A Patchwork of Microclimates

Corsica’s varied geography creates a multitude of microclimates, ranging from sun-drenched coastal vineyards to cooler, elevated mountain plots. This diversity allows for the cultivation of a wide range of grape varieties, each thriving in its specific environment. The sea breeze, combined with the island’s abundant sunshine, ensures optimal ripening conditions while maintaining the freshness and balance characteristic of Corsican wines.

Soils that Shape the Flavor

The island’s soils are just as varied as its climate, including granite, schist, limestone, and volcanic deposits. These diverse soil types impart unique mineral qualities to the wines, enhancing their complexity. For instance, vineyards on granite soils often produce wines with vibrant acidity, while those on limestone yield wines with elegance and finesse.

Indigenous Grapes and Tradition

Corsica is home to many indigenous grape varieties, such as Niellucciu, Sciaccarellu, and Vermentinu, which are the backbone of its wine identity. These grapes, deeply rooted in the island’s history, are cultivated with respect for tradition, often through sustainable or organic practices. Winemakers skillfully combine ancient methods with modern techniques to create wines that honor Corsica’s heritage while meeting contemporary standards.

The Expression of Corsican Terroir

The terroir-driven wines of Corsica are known for their authenticity and character. Red wines often exhibit bold, earthy notes with hints of wild herbs, known locally as maquis, while white wines are crisp and aromatic, reflecting the island’s Mediterranean essence. Rosés, another Corsican specialty, offer vibrant fruit flavors and refreshing minerality, perfect for the island’s sun-drenched lifestyle.

A Taste of Corsica in Every Sip

Corsican wines are more than just beverages; they are an expression of the island’s soul. Whether you’re enjoying a robust red, an elegant white, or a lively rosé, each sip tells a story of Corsica’s unique terroir, its winemaking traditions, and its connection to nature.

Corsican wines invite you to discover the island’s beauty, history, and culture, one glass at a time. Contact us today to book one of our tours or to create your own experience in Corsica.