The road of Patrimonio wine,
discover the Corsican vineyard

History of Corsican wine

The history of Corsican wine is the legacy of a know-how and a wine-growing tradition that date back to Antiquity, with the arrival of the Greeks on the island of beauty. It continues with the Romans then the Genoese who developed the Corsican vineyard. After the cession of Corsica to France, the reputation of the winegrowers is such that they continue their activity and their exports, in particular to Italy.

At the end of the 19th century, phylloxera destroyed 85% of Corsican vines, causing a collapse in production and a real economic disaster. The Corsican viticulture will then be subject to a new decline during the two world wars.

In the 1960s, with the arrival of repatriates from Algeria, new farms of disproportionate proportions appeared. These industrial methods with exceptional yields are totally out of step with the traditional Corsican vineyards made up of small estates of 1 to 2 hectares.

There was a strong demand for a cheap table wine during the 60s and 70s. This trend benefited the industrialists who, thanks to their intensive operations, offered a mediocre wine but at an unbeatable cost. The small producers, with their much higher production costs, could not fight and sank one after the other.

In 1974, a campaign called for a boycott of Corsican wines following a financial scandal affecting several large merchants and industrial winegrowers. This collapse will provoke a revolt of the winegrowers, crystallized by the events of Aléria in 1975. Following this, the government will take a series of measures putting an end to industrial exploitations in Corsica and again opening the way to the reconstruction of quality viticulture.

In 1968, Patrimonio obtained the first controlled designation of origin in Corsica and since then the quality of Patrimonio’s red wines has been increasingly recognized.

The vineyards of Patrimonio

The wines of Patrimonio constitute the first AOC to have been recognized since 1968. This appellation places Corsican wines at the rank of Grand Cru. Internationally renowned, they are served on the greatest tables around the world.

The four main grape varieties of Patrimonio wines are Niellucciu, Grenache, Sciaccarellu and Vermentinu which form the emblematic link of the Appellation.

The winegrowers practice organic farming and the vineyard is in the process of becoming fully organic. A close link unites Patrimonio with Nielluciu, the emblematic black grape variety of the appellation, up to a minimum of 90% for the production of red wines and a minimum of 75% for the production of rosé wines, with Grenache as secondary grape varieties. and the sciaccarellu.

These grape varieties give sumptuous, powerful reds with an astonishing aromatic length combining notes of black and red fruits with spicy notes. Vermentinu (Malvasia from Corsica), the only variety used for the production of white wines, is also used in the production of rosé and red wines as an accessory variety. It gives fresh and dry white wines of great aromatic subtlety with notes of flowers and apples. Corsican wines are thus made from very specific grape varieties with poetic names and meanings.

The grape varieties of Patrimonio wine

Corsican wines are made from a very specific grape variety with poetic names and meanings.

The wines of Patrimonio mainly use the nielluccio, vermentino and muscat grape varieties.

Nielluccio is a black grape. Niellu means “black, dark, hard”.

It makes the reputation of Patrimonio wines. 90% of the reds must indeed come from the nielluccio grape to benefit from the AOC.

Vermentino is a white grape variety. It gives fresh and dry white wines of great aromatic subtlety with notes of flowers and apples.

On the road of Patrimonio wines

The Patrimonio wine route will allow you to discover 33 estates, with appellation contrôlée for more than 40 years, following a marked path. This route covers 500 hectares of wine-growing land.

This territory is split in two, an eastern part surrounded by almost desert mountainous relief, and a western part descending to the coast, made up of hills and plains. This is where the majority of the vines are planted. The composition of the soils of this superb region of Conca d'Oru, limestone and clay, is conducive to the excellence of the quality of these grape varieties.

This vineyard gives powerful red wines with notes of red fruits and wood, but also, one of the best rosé wines of Corsica and dry and subtle white wines.

To discover this vineyard, you must take the Patrimonio wine route. It crisscrosses the Patrimonio region via Saint-Florent and Farinole and offers guided cellar tours, but also a great opportunity to discover the natural beauties of Haute-Corse. For an unforgettable holiday, come and enjoy a glass of red, white or rosé from Patrimonio accompanied by a plate of Corsican charcuterie and artisanal cheeses on the terrace of one of our comfortable villas with swimming pool. This is the real taste of the holidays!

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