Friday Night Wine School - The Unique Wines of Corsica

Corsica, a French island in the Mediterranean, has a fascinating wine culture that's shaped by its unique blend of French and Italian influences, rugged terrain, and Mediterranean climate. Despite being part of France, Italy’s influence on Corsica is profound, shaping the island’s culture, language, architecture, cuisine, and especially its wine traditions. Corsica was under Genoese rule for nearly five centuries (from the late 13th century until 1768), and its proximity to Tuscany and Sardinia also contributed to strong Italian connections.

Most of the Corsican grapes have ties to Italy as well. Nielluccio is Corsica’s most important red grape and is genetically very similar to Sangiovese, Italy’s iconic grape, particularly from Tuscany. Vermentino, known in Corsica as Malvoisie de Corse, is widely planted in both Corsica and Sardinia, as well as in regions of mainland Italy like Liguria and Tuscany. It is thought to have originated from Italy, possibly Liguria, and spread across the Mediterranean. Sciaccarello, another key red grape of Corsica, is believed to be related to Mammolo, a lesser-known grape from Tuscany. Mammolo is often used in blends, such as in Chianti, but in Corsica, Sciaccarello has developed a distinct identity.

Even after France acquired Corsica in 1768, Italian influence remained deeply embedded in the island’s identity. Many Corsicans still feel a closer cultural affinity to Italy than to mainland France, especially given the shared history, language, and food traditions. This dual identity makes Corsica unique within France, with its Italian roots constantly blending with French culture to create something distinct. It also contributes to the island’s distinctive wine style—one that’s both rustic and refined, combining the structure of Italian reds with the elegance of French whites.

Corsican wines are still relatively under the radar, which makes them an exciting discovery for wine drinkers looking for something new and unique. Dave Sobiesk will accompany us on this tour as Artisan Fine Wines has a great selection from the island for us to choose from. I hope you'll join us!

Drink a little, learn a little, and have some fun with us!

-All ticket sales are final.
-We will hold our tastings outside on the patio from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM on Fridays weather permitting, if it rains we move inside to the back of the shop.
-Your $5 tasting fee is refunded when you purchase a bottle of wine from the tasting. Limit 1 refund per bottle per customer.
-Please arrive 5 minutes early for your time slot, as we may not be able to move you to another spot.
-No waiting in line for your taste of wine in a plastic cup and snippet of info. During your time slot, you will have the presenter's undivided attention as you learn about and taste the wines from Riedel glassware.
-When your tasting is over, you can browse and shop or enjoy a glass or bottle at our indoor and outdoor tables.