no
190
Terra Nostra
Nielluccio
Corsican red wine, a Vin de Corse AOC; little exported wines
France, Corsica, Terra Nostra, Corsican, Corse AOP, 2014
Introduction
With the majority of the wine consumed on the island, export does not happen that much. This wine is marketed by the Groupe Uval, a cooperative, based just south of the town of Bastia, north east Corsica. It all started with winery Cave de la Marana in nearby Borgo. The French island’s wine industry is traditionally mirrored on Italy, which is only 90 miles to the west. The main red grapes on the island are Nielluccio and Sciacarello; for white it is Vermentino.
Groupe Uval has 1300 ha. of vines and 60 makers, all on the east coast of the island. Founded in 1975, from 1976 the coop has been looking continuously at its vines and production methods. In the 80’s e.g. it trialled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with success, but unusual for the island until then. These days the production is modern and quality of wine has become more important on the island. Nielluccio is considered often ‘the same’ as Sangiovese.
Introduction
With the majority of the wine consumed on the island, export does not happen that much. This wine is marketed by the Groupe Uval, a cooperative, based just south of the town of Bastia, north east Corsica. It all started with winery Cave de la Marana in nearby Borgo. The French island’s wine industry is traditionally mirrored on Italy, which is only 90 miles to the west. The main red grapes on the island are Nielluccio and Sciacarello; for white it is Vermentino.
Groupe Uval has 1300 ha. of vines and 60 makers, all on the east coast of the island. Founded in 1975, from 1976 the coop has been looking continuously at its vines and production methods. In the 80’s e.g. it trialled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with success, but unusual for the island until then. These days the production is modern and quality of wine has become more important on the island. Nielluccio is considered often ‘the same’ as Sangiovese.
Year:
2014
Approx:
£ 6.00
Best Served:
16-18 °C
Vol:
12.5 %
Review Date:
28 . 03 . 2018
Origin:
France, Corsica
Wine specifics
Ready to drink and can keep still for a little while. Balanced, medium-bodied, smooth, fruity, full, hints of spice and coffee. Serving all red meats, meat platters, grills, mature cheeses. Obtained in France, may not be available in the UK. Cork. The company’s logo shows the contours of the island, with (roughly) the mountain ranges within and the name Corsican under it. On the label; within the lines (reflecting north east Corsica’s coast line), it could indicate the land where the vines for this wine are grown. Terra Nostra – ‘our land’.
Ready to drink and can keep still for a little while. Balanced, medium-bodied, smooth, fruity, full, hints of spice and coffee. Serving all red meats, meat platters, grills, mature cheeses. Obtained in France, may not be available in the UK. Cork. The company’s logo shows the contours of the island, with (roughly) the mountain ranges within and the name Corsican under it. On the label; within the lines (reflecting north east Corsica’s coast line), it could indicate the land where the vines for this wine are grown. Terra Nostra – ‘our land’.
Insights:
With the independence of Algeria many French nationals re-settled in Corsica and the wine production increased fourfold, between 1960 and 1976. The first AOC on the island was in 1968, with now 9 AOC’s on Corsica. In the 1980’s the islands wine industry was reorganised, financially supported by the European Union. The acres were heavily reduced, to a quarter, to 7500 ha. in total, whilst improving the stock and wine making processes. UVAL stands for L’Union des Vignerons Associés du Levant.
Review Date:
28 . 03 . 2018
