What is Corsica if not a mountain rising from the sea? To quote Antoine Albitreccia, a French historian and geographer, he was considered a pioneer of modern Corsican geography.
Forming a microcontinent until the Mesozoic era, Corsica broke away from what would become the Maures and Estérel massifs nearly 30 million years ago, during the Upper Oligocene. On the ground, Corsica’s mineralogical profile is expressed in two distinct profiles and four geological zones.
The island features a central mountain range, with its highest peak, Monte Cintu, rising to an elevation of 2,710 meters.
First, “Ancient Corsica” or “Crystalline Corsica” encompasses the western part of the island, from Porto to Bonifacio. It is this part of Corsica that was once connected to the Maures and Estérel massifs. In fact, the same types of rock are found here, such as granite and red rhyolite, for example.
On the other hand, Alpine Corsica, in the north of the island, is characterized by rocks found in the Alps.
How do these four geological zones manifest themselves, and how do they influence the wines?
• The granitic and volcanic west of Corsica:
Covering two-thirds of the island, with soil rich in potassium, aluminum, silica, and sometimes calcium, this region produces wines of great finesse, characterized by intense floral notes. Here, the dominant grape variety is Sciaccarellu, known for its great finesse and light colors.
• Alpine Corsica in the east:
This part of the island is rich in various types of schist; calcium carbonate and limestone deposits impart mineral, floral, and fruity notes, resulting in full-bodied, round wines. Here, Muscat has established its reign.
• Ancient Western Corsica:
This is the quintessential granite region of Corsica, covering two-thirds of the area. It features weathered plutonic granites mixed with clay. Here we find soil particularly rich in alumina, potassium, silica, and sometimes calcium—elements highly conducive to vine cultivation. In practice, this mineral richness gives rise to wines of great distinction, with light to brilliant colors and intense notes, and frequently, as they age, a flinty bouquet.
• The eastern part of Corsica:
Consists of hills, small plateaus, and foothills, mainly composed of Tertiary deposits and alluvial soils. The distinctive feature of this clay soil is that it ensures the wine’s smoothness and harmony. These wines will have a lighter structure.