Corsican Vermentinu
by Anthony Lynch
There is no better time than springtime to drink Vermentino. Wines made from this grape, which thrives across a vast stretch of coastal Mediterranean appellations, have an undeniable springy character that is both soothing and uplifting, often recalling the colorful flowers and fragrant herbs synonymous with this time of year. As a bonus, Vermentino pairs to perfection with spring produce: favas, asparagus, artichokes, fennel, young leafy greens, and fresh herbs need only the most basic preparation to be savored with these wines.
At KLWM, the island of Corsica is synonymous with great Vermentino. Here are three bottles to inspire, intrigue, and certainly refresh.
2023 Vin de Corse “Blanc de Marquilliani”
France | Corsica
Marquiliani makes one of our most sought-after rosés, which Kermit aptly likened to “drinking a cloud.” With the domaine’s white, we have a similar experience, with Vermentino expressing its most charming floral qualities. Not only are the wildflowers soaring out of the glass, but with each sip, they are blossoming all around us, like a sunny picnic in a seaside meadow. Delicate, breezy, and positively stimulating.
2021 Corse Figari Blanc “Amphora”
France | Corsica
This unique cuvée, the result of years of experimentation by Yves Canarelli, will take your taste buds on an adventure. Roll it around over all corners of your palate; take note of the rich, deep textures obtained from fermentation in clay amphorae, patient barrel aging, and an unfiltered, unsulfured bottling. It has a purity and seamlessness—no angles or edges—and a feeling of weightlessness despite its broad, full-bodied, golden flesh. It is a wine to study, but also one to savor, preferably alongside a fish stew or minty pea soup.
2022 Patrimonio Blanc “Hauts de Carco”
France | Corsica
Gazing up at the lofty incline Arena calls “Hauts de Carco,” which climbs a towering limestone ridge littered with fossilized seashells, inspires awe on every occasion. If the rocky white soil is comparable to that of Chablis, the wine is certainly as chalky, and drinking it provides the same thrill I feel when I look up at that impossibly steep slope, with the glistening Mediterranean lurking just over the hills. It is both lusciously creamy and tightly coiled, striking an impeccable balance achievable only by the most skilled vignerons in very top terroirs.
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