Ile de Beauté is the evocative PGI title given to wines that come from Corsica. The island is located in the Mediterranean Sea between the southeast coast of Provence and the west coast of Tuscany. Although the island is closer to Italy, it has been under French rule since 1764 and is one of the 27 regions of France. Corsica's Italian heritage is reflected in the island's wines, which are made primarily from Sangiovese (known here as Nielluccio) and Vermentino.
The IGP Île de Beauté allows for a Long list of grape varieties, including a mix of traditional Corsican, Spanish, French and Italian varieties. There are very few other wine regions in the world where you can find Nielluccio, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo and Barbarossa in the same Vineyard. Chardonnay, brought to Corsica by the French, is often blended with Vermentino in IGP wines. (See the wine lists in our database below for a larger picture).
The vermentino grape variety was widespread in Italy, Sardinia and Corsica. Today, Vermentino is grown in the regions bordering the Mediterranean, mainly in Provence (Côtes de Provence, Bellet), Corsica (Corse Calvi), Languedoc (Côtes du Roussillon, Costières de Nîmes) and the Rhône Valley (Côtes du Luberon). Because it ripens late, Vermentino requires a warm climate for its development and can only be grown in regions with good sun exposure. Conversely, cold or temperate climates do not allow it to ripen properly. Vermentino is only susceptible to powdery mildew. When vinified on its own, Vermentino produces a single-variety dry white wine that is light and full-bodied with a pale yellow color. It can also be blended with other grape varieties such as Ugni Blanc, Cinsault and Grenache, in which case its low acidity makes it light and fresh. Vermentino belongs to the grape varieties of Ajaccio, Corsica and Corbières. The aromas released by this variety are multiple. One can detect notes of fresh apple, green almond, sweet spices, hawthorn, ripe pear and fresh pineapple.
white wines from the region of Ile de Beaute go well with generally quite well with dishes of shellfish, vegetarian or pasta such as recipes of chicken with scampi for christmas, quiche with bacon and gruyère cheese or cannelloni with brocciu from jeanne.
On the nose in the region of Ile de Beaute often reveals types of flavors of earth, tree fruit or citrus fruit and sometimes also flavors of spices, citrus or minerality. In the mouth in the region of Ile de Beaute is a with a nice freshness.
