Corsica vineyard: an astonishing wine region
CORSICA: MY VINEYARD
My vineyard is all of Corsica! As a merchant winemaker, I buy grapes from different and complementary terroirs from a group of exceptional island winegrowers, which I then vinify.
The Corsican vineyard covers approximately 7,000 hectares (<1% of the French vineyard!), with a little less than 3,000 hectares in AOC where ALPA sources its grapes. My goal is to grow this very unique vineyard, whose identity I will let you discover.
A Mountain in the Sea
With unique soils in the Mediterranean
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Dive with me into the fascinating geological history of our vineyard, located in the heart of the Mediterranean, where mountain ranges tell a story millions of years old.
A Bit of Prehistory
Did you know? Corsica was once a microcontinent connected to Sardinia and Provence.
Alpine upheavals and fractures slowly led to its drift, leaving behind two distinct geological entities: ancient Corsica and Alpine Corsica.
The OLDEST
Vineyard in France !
It was the Phocaeans (Greeks) who were at the origin of our Corsican vineyard, in -565 BC! You can read the main points of the history of the Corsican vineyard here (link coming!)
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Impressive Terrain and
Diverse Terroirs
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With peaks rising to 2,710 meters, Corsica stands as a true mountain in the middle of the sea.
Within these majestic landscapes nestle countless valleys and hillsides, offering a diversity of soils conducive to expressive and highly original wines. This is the universe where the vines of Maison ALPA thrive.
The island is divided into four major geological regions, each contributing to the uniqueness of my wines.
Corsica vineyard: different geological regions
Four Geological Regions
Granitic Corsica of the West
Two-thirds of the island is home to granitic soils rich in silica, alumina, potash, and sometimes calcium, giving our wines exceptional finesse with intense floral aromas.
Alpine Corsica North-East
Dominated by varieties of schist, this asymmetrical ridge includes Cap Corse and Castagniccia, and widens between Corte and the sea. Round and fleshy wines with mineral, floral and fruity notes are produced there.
Ancient Corsica of the West
A granitoid kingdom occupying two-thirds of the island, with granitic soils conducive to vines. The resulting crus are distinguished, displaying light colors and intense aromas, sometimes evolving into a “flint” bouquet with age.
Eastern Coast
Comprising piedmonts, hills, and small plateaus, this region offers clayey soils that bring softness and harmony to our wines.
The 5 soils families of Corsica vineyard
5 soils families
Granitic and Volcanic Soils
Occupying two-thirds of the island, these soils rich in silica, alumina, and potash offer our wines great finesse; I tend to favor this type of soil for Sciaccarellu-dominant grape varieties.
Schist Soils
In the east, particularly in Alpine Corsica, from Cap Corse to Castagniccia, these soils rich in calcium carbonate favor the aromas of cooked fruit and undergrowth.
Depressionary Sedimentary Soils
The Corte area, with a central trench oriented northwest-southeast, occupies 1/5 of the island and offers us very interesting crus with a lighter structure.
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Rocks with Crystal-Origin
Gneiss, granite, granulites, porphyries, diorites, and gabbros shape the terroirs of Balagne, Ajaccio, Sartène, Figari, Porto-Vecchio, and the Corte region. Diverse expressions of wines can be applied in this southern region.
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Metamorphic Rocks
Predominant in Alpine Corsica, these soils low in phosphorus and potash favor the cycle of minerals and water, with vines having to develop very deep roots to “penetrate” these poor soils. They maintain good grape acidity and have regulating effects to balance the sugar richness of the berries.
A SUNNY AND WINDY CLIMATE
The Mediterranean climate dominates the sunny hills of our vineyards, creating ideal conditions for growing grapes. The constant wind on the island also plays a vital role in the health of the vines and the identity of our wines.
IDEAL FOR WINE MAKING
Between sea and mountain, the coastal region, home to most vineyards, benefits from thermal mildness throughout the year, marking warm summers and mild winters conducive to quality grapes.
Corsica vineyard : the perfect climate for wine
Our Climatic Advantages
To grow Vine
Exceptional Sunshine
With an average of 2,885 hours of sunshine per year, our island is bathed in light, promoting optimal grape ripening, especially for anthocyanins (photoprotection role).
Thermal Contrast
The Corsican climate offers summer mildness and mild winters, creating an ideal thermal contrast for grape development, even under a frequent snow cover in winter.
Abundant Rainfall
Receiving 10,560m3/hectare/year, Corsica ranks among the rainiest areas in France (few people know this!). The mountainous areas and the Cap Corse region are the rainiest, contributing to soil richness.
Diverse Microclimates & Constant Wind
The rugged terrain and varied influences, such as the maestrale from Provence, the libecciu from Gibraltar, and the tramontana from the northwest, create a mosaic of microclimates that shape the unique personality of our wines.
Corsican Climate
Main Figures
The annual isotherm reaches 17°C(62.6°F) in the plains and 15°C(59°F) in the mountains, offering us warm summers and mild winters.
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Between 2,470 and 2,885 hours of sunshine (highest in France), a crucial factor for grape maturity and aroma concentration.
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Tourists often imagine the island as arid, but Corsica receives 10,560m3/hectare/year of precipitation, with an uneven distribution across the island, the mountainous areas and the Cap Corse region being the wettest.
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Between 0 and 400 meters, the area suitable for vines experiences a summer drought for 3.5 months on the west coast and 2.5 months on the east coast, creating a unique environment in which our wine heritage has developed over the centuries.
The useful Winds of Corsica vineyard
Regional Winds
The Mighty Masters of the Corsican Sky
The winds, numerous and sometimes violent, sculpt our wine landscape.
Regularly reaching over 200 km/h, these regional winds and local breezes play a crucial role in climate regulation
Winds contribute to the health of our vines by minimizing the risks of fungal diseases.
It also brings freshness to our wines.
Mistrale
Coming from Provence (North), this dry and violent wind sweeps the region, bringing characteristic dryness.
Tramontane
Originating from the Alps, this dry and cold wind blows vigorously, leaving its mark on the Corsican landscape.
Gregale
Descending from the Apennines of Italy, this wind brings rain, playing an essential role in our water supply .
Libecciu
The most frequent wind, coming from Gibraltar, it blows regularly and brings precipitation, especially in the west.
Siroccu
This Sahara wind dries out the vegetation with its hot, dry breath, repainting your white boat red!
Impressive Figures!
The libecciu blows 85 days per year in Ajaccio, 147 days per year in Cap Corse, and 192 days per year in Bonifacio, bringing much-needed rains to the west.
The most wind-exposed regions are Cap Corse and Bonifacio, recording only… 16 days without wind per year!
Local Breezes
SEA BREEZE
This breeze brings fresh air from the sea, especially in the afternoon after the air has warmed up.
It affects our vine treatments, recommending their implementation before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m. It can be powerful.
Daily Climatic Harmonies
LAND BREEZE
Descending from the mountains, it blows cooler air during the night when the land cools down faster than the sea.
It starts after sunset and persists for 2 to 3 hours after sunrise, influencing the thermal balance between land and sea. It can also be very powerful, especially in summer.
