| The mountainsides of Corsica rumble with the echoes of a long and tortured history. This island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, about 50 miles west of the coast of Tuscany and 100 miles south of the French Riviera contains some of Europe’s most beautiful scenery. No larger than Puerto Rico, the island boasts a varied terrain that brings to mind the Alpine slopes, the semi-arid plains of the North African Maghreb, and the pastoral valleys of northern Italy. Many invasions by European powers over the centuries have left their mark on Corsica’s landscape and way of life. Yet Corsica has been experiencing a renaissance in the early 21st century, after a period of economic and cultural decline following World War II. Key to the island’s return to prosperity is a new commitment to old practices of small-scale agriculture and artisanal, gourmet culinary production. Some wines of Corsica are among the finest in Europe, but only a small amount of wine is produced for export. Three native vines comprise the basis for most of Corsica’s fine wines: Sciaccarello is the emblematic Corsican wine grape and is unique to the island. Its name means “crackling” or “crunchy,” referring to the texture of its pulp when eaten. This variety grows best in the granite soil of western Corsica, from Ajaccio to Sartene. Its flavor is lively and peppery, with a nose of fruit, spices and flowers. It is used in both reds and rosés and is usually accompanied by Nielluccio or Grenache. Nielluccio is the dominant vine of the Patrimonio region, suited to its limestone soil. It lends a deep color and body to red wines, with high tannins and a bouquet reminiscent of licorice. Vermentino is Corsica’s dominant white wine grape, and responsible for some of the finest whites in the Mediterranean. When picked at maturity, Vermentino produces bold, dry whites with a delicate flavor; when picked late, the sugar content increases, and it can be converted into wines resembling liqueurs [Source: Ultimate Guide to the Corsica Wine Region] *Curious about the Kitchen Wine Society Club? Follow the link below to discover the savings and exclusive benefits of becoming a member! http://www.milwaukiekitchen. com/wines/ | 
Sometime in the mid 1990s, I began exploring Portuguese wines. At first, I was slightly put off by their unique flavors, and the "st...
0 comments:
Post a Comment