A Fresh Domaine on France’s Isle of Beauty
by Anthony Lynch
A Fresh Domaine on France’s Isle of Beauty
by Anthony Lynch
When my father first made the hop over to Corsica, he found an island brimming with potential. More than forty years later, the scene has changed quite a bit. Producers have invested the necessary means to bring their cellars and vineyards up to par with the latest happenings on mainland France. Driven by a proud sense of Corsican identity, they banded together, sharing resources, techniques, and plant material—the widespread resurgence of long-lost native Corsican vine varieties is proof of this. Today, it is my great delight to observe a new generation of Corsican vignerons taking their family domaines to the next level, more than ever realizing the potential my dad saw decades ago.
Domaine Giacometti is a resplendent example of this. Since joining the domaine a dozen or so years ago, Sarah and Simon Giacometti have enacted changes that have made this remote property—hidden away in a desolate area of granite outcrops and dry shrubbery known as the Désert des Agriates—one of Corsica’s most exciting. They started by completing an organic conversion in the vineyards, an idea their father, Christian, had long entertained that ultimately required a burst of youthful energy and conviction to finally realize. Sarah and Simon count themselves among a new generation of growers in Patrimonio who have pushed to ban herbicide use throughout the appellation, France’s very first AOC to take such a strong stand for sustainability.
Changes in the cellar ensued, including a move to native yeasts, less filtration, and lower doses of sulfur. The Giacometti wines grew more vibrant, more consistent, and they now bear a stronger stamp of their windy, sunbaked terroir.
The best part? They are just getting started. When I asked him what the future looks like at the domaine, Simon answered straightforwardly, “We won’t rest on our laurels. We will continue to work for greater precision in our wines.” With these recent releases, we invite you to discover for yourself what has been cooking up in this rugged patch of Mediterranean wilderness.
Wines In The Collection
Domaine Giacometti France | Corsica
Not quite Rhône-like and not quite Corsican, this has the best of both worlds, with plenty of palate-staining black fruit to boot.
Domaine Giacometti France | Corsica
The Cuvée Sarah, an aromatic mix of roasted, smoking herbs with plenty of tannins to chew on, goes down with pleasure and calls for another round (and a grill).
France | Corsica
Not quite Rhône-like and not quite Corsican, this has the best of both worlds, with plenty of palate-staining black fruit to boot.
France | Corsica
The Cuvée Sarah, an aromatic mix of roasted, smoking herbs with plenty of tannins to chew on, goes down with pleasure and calls for another round (and a grill).
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