Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
Eric Poli, who runs Corsica’s Domaine de Piana, bought 7.4 acres of 50-year-old vines in the stony white soils of Patrimonio in 2005. They’ve produced a big, beautiful rosé of niellucio in 2016. A diaphanous pink, the wine opens with scents of violets and wild herbs, then expands into wild strawberry and black pepper flavors. Bold and dynamic, the wine has a seaside earthiness and richness that recalls a lobster bisque, which would make a fabulous pairing.
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Tasting Panel
Pale salmon pink from the mountainous hillsides of Patrimonio, Corsica's oldest appellation; smooth texture with mellow, luscious flavor; crisp, fresh, and racy; clean and stylish; 100% Nielluccio.
Whether it’s playful and fun or savory and serious, most rosé today is not your grandmother’s White Zinfandel, though that category remains strong. Pink wine has recently become quite trendy, and this time around it’s commonly quite dry. Since the pigment in red wines comes from keeping fermenting juice in contact with the grape skins for an extended period, it follows that a pink wine can be made using just a brief period of skin contact—usually just a couple of days. The resulting color depends on grape variety and winemaking style, ranging from pale salmon to deep magenta.
A mountainous, Mediterranean island covered in vineyards, Corsica, while closer to Italy in proximity and history, is today under France's political jurisdiction. The island is home to a mix of Italian and French grapes, typically planted at high elevations. Niellucciu (Sangiovese), Sciacarellu (Mammolo), and Vermentino (Rolle) are the main grape varieties of Corsica, and account for about two thirds of all Corsican wines produced.