Wine Club: July 2026
It’s August of 1769, a local patrician, Carlo, of Corsica’s capital, Ajaccio, strolls through one of his vineyards, occasionally plucking a ripening grape and sampling. His laborers can be spotted here and there, up and down the severe mountainous hillsides, pruning and doing other vineyard work. Genoa signed Corsica over to France a year prior, a boon to Carlo, who was able to spin his way up the local government ladder. He’s hopeful the new relationship with the wine-loving French will bring business opportunities for his handful of vineyards… though they may be skeptical of the Tuscan grape varieties that run rampant across the island - Niellucciu (Sangiovese), Sciaccarellu (Mammolo), and Vermentinu (Vermentino) cover the rocky landscape in front of Carlo. A woman’s scream pierces the evening air. Carlo looks back towards the noise and slowly turns to walk back up to his home where his wife is giving birth for the fourth time. If it’s a boy, Carlo Bonaparte has decided to name him Napoleon. Carlo eats one last grape and goes in to meet his new child.
At least that’s how I’m guessing Napoleon's birth went. In any case, Corsican wine did end up finding great export potential after the move from Genoa to France - no thanks to Napoleon though, who championed Burgundy over all other wine.
Where else does the history of Corsican wine take us? Greeks and Phoenicians planted the first vines, Genoa developed the island and vastly expanded viticulture, specifically with Tuscan varieties. Many decades of Tuscan families moving (or being exiled) to Corsica reinforced this Italian heritage in Corsican winemaking. More recently there’s been a distinct shift toward smaller production and the revival of old indigenous varieties, though the available wines from Corsica are still mostly Sangiovese and Vermentino-based. Patrimonio AOC, where our first wine this month is from, was the first region in all of France to ban synthetic herbicides, a step much of Europe soon adopted. Today Corsica is one of the emerging regions of Europe, with the average wine consumer unlikely to come across wine from the island.
The four wines we present this month span a spectrum, though the focus is on the three wonderfully approachable offerings from Domaine Vetriccie on the eastern coast. A red, white and rosé - all great for any occasion and the perfect type of wines to introduce you to an unknown region like this. The fourth is the wine from Patrimonio. This is a serious, brooding expression of Vermentino. Full-bodied and complex, a white wine that demands food and could age in the cellar for many years.
Cheers!
Domaine Santamaria ‘Patrimonio’ Bianco
The Grapes
100% Vermentino - Organic, Biodynamic
Tasting Notes
Rich chamomile, honeysuckle and wet gravel with layered fruit notes of ripe citrus and peach. Long, complex finish with some hazelnut bitterness.
Pairing Suggestions
Corsican One Pot Chicken - herbaceous and perfect for this wine.
Can it Age?
Yes, up to 10 years.
Domaine Vetriccie ‘Corse’ Blanc
The Grapes
100% Vermentino - Organic
Tasting Notes
Bright and punchy lemon and lime, seaspray and almond skins give way to bouncy acid and a nice mouthwatering finish.
Pairing Suggestions
Getting a little complicated with this one: delicious stuffed mussels.
Can it Age?
Drink now!
Domaine Vetriccie ‘Ile de Beaute’ Rosé
The Grapes
Sangiovese, Mammolo, Grenache - Organic
Tasting Notes
Light strawberries, fresh watermelon and a similar saltiness to the Blanc. Pure Mediterranean pink wine. Notes of blood orange and orange zest on the palate with a quick, refreshing finish.
Pairing Suggestions
This is a perfect appetizer wine.
Can it Age?
Drink now!
Domaine Vetriccie ‘Ile de Beaute’ Rouge
The Grapes
Sangiovese, Siciarello, Syrah - Organic
Tasting Notes
Bouncy cherry notes with raspberries and blackberries folded in. Touch of spice and balsamic, roses and minerality. Easy-going and elegant red.
Pairing Suggestions
Can it Age?
Drink now!
