Notify me
2015 Muscat du Cap Corse “Grotte di Sole”
Jean-Baptiste ArenaThe Arena sons are as eager to think outside the box and execute novel ideas as they are to honor the local winemaking traditions that have come to define Corsica. One such tradition, Cap Corse’s celebrated dessert wine, represents one of the most fascinating and intriguing expressions of Muscat in the world. Talk about a sense of place: Muscat grown here seems to soak up the smells of its surroundings to give a uniquely Corsican perfume. It radiates Mediterranean sunshine, suggesting maquis wildflowers along with hints of wild mint and other herbs. Try splashing a dollop of the nectar over a seasonal fruit salad, then pour each of your guests a glass to accompany it—they are sure to be wowed.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | dessert |
Vintage: | 2015 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Muscat |
Appellation: | Muscat du Cap Corse |
Country: | France |
Region: | Corsica |
Producer: | Jean-Baptiste Arena |
Winemaker: | Jean-Baptiste Arena |
Vineyard: | Planted in 1982, 1992, 1995, 1 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone |
Aging: | Muscat du Cap is a muted (fortified) wine that ages for 2 months in stainless steel |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 15% |
More from this Producer or Region
2022 Vin de France “Le Vin Coule Dans Nos Veines”
France | Corsica
Reminiscent of ripe wild blackberries crushed on a hot stone, “Le Vin Coule” is utterly gulpable—give it a light chill and revel in this unique Corsican rouge.
2019 Vin de France Muscatellu “Morta Maió” Non Muté
France | Corsica
If you’re like me, a glass of Corsican Muscatellu sparks visions of evening cheese plates laden with Marcona almonds and gemlike fruits.
2021 Patrimonio Blanc “Grotte di Sole”
France | Corsica
Golden ripe Vermentinu berries are responsible for this fleshy, succulent dry white.
2019 Muscat du Cap Corse “Grotte di Sole”
France | Corsica
See why Cap Corse's famous Muscat tastes like no other dessert wine in the world.
2019 Patrimonio Rouge “Carco”
France | Corsica
Aromas of black fruit, graphite, wild herbs, and game over firm, stony tannins. Saturated with flavors of the Île de Beauté.
2020 Patrimonio Blanc “Cuvée Sarah”
France | Corsica
This white, raised in demi-muids with malolactic fermentation, flamboyantly shows off the affinity of ripe Vermentinu grapes with a judicious use of wood.
2022 Corse Calvi Blanc “Les Marottes d’Anaïs”
France | Corsica
February Club Bianco
Vin de France Rouge “Grotte di Sole”
France | Corsica
A full-throttle Niellucciu from a sun-soaked limestone vineyard in Patrimonio.
2020 Vin de France Blanc “B.G.”
France | Corsica
A beautiful example of Biancu Gentile, an heirloom white grape revived from near-extinction by Arena in the 1990s.
2016 Costa Nera
France | Corsica
Regally structured with a backbone of densely packed, yet incredibly silky tannins, this rare red stands level with top bottlings from Cornas, Bandol, and southern Italy.
About The Producer
Jean-Baptiste Arena
About The Region
Corsica
I first set foot on the island in 1980. I remember looking down from the airplane window seeing alpine forest and lakes and thinking, uh oh, I got on the wrong plane. Then suddenly I was looking down into the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean. Corsica is a small, impossibly tall island, the tail of the Alp chain rising out of the blue sea.—Kermit Lynch
Kermit’s first trip to the island proved fruitful, with his discovery of Clos Nicrosi’s Vermentino. More than thirty years later, the love affair with Corsica has only grown as we now import wines from ten domaines that cover the north, south, east, and west of what the French affectionately refer to as l’Île de Beauté.
Corsica is currently experiencing somewhat of a renaissance—interest has never been higher in the wines and much of this is due to growers focusing on indigenous and historical grapes found on the island. Niellucciu, Sciarcarellu, and Vermentinu are widely planted but it is now common to find bottlings of Biancu Gentile and Carcaghjolu Neru as well as blends with native varieties like Rossola Bianca, Minustellu, or Montaneccia.
As Kermit described above, Corsica has a strikingly mountainous landscape. The granite peaks top out above 9,000 feet. The terroir is predominantly granite with the exception of the Patrimonio appellation in the north, which has limestone, clay, and schist soils.The wines, much like their southern French counterparts make for great pairings with the local charcuterie, often made from Nustrale, the native wild boar, as well as Brocciu, the Corsican goats milk cheese that is best served within 48 hours of it being made.
More from Corsica or France
2018 Vin de France Blanc “Diplomate d’Empire”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
2020 Vin de France Rouge “Ministre Impérial”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
2021 Vin de France Rouge “San Giovanni”
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
2016 Vin de France Blanc “Général de la Révolution”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
2021 Corse Calvi Rouge “E Signurine”
Domaine Maestracci France | Corsica
Extra Virgin Olive Oil “Ghjermana”
Domaine de Marquiliani France | Corsica
2019 Vin de France Rouge “Costa Nera”
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
2021 Corse Figari Blanc
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
2020 Patrimonio Blanc “Cuvée Sarah”
Domaine Giacometti France | Corsica
2022 Vin de France “Le Vin Coule Dans Nos Veines”
Domaine Giacometti France | Corsica
2022 Île de Beauté Rosé “E Croce”
Yves Leccia France | Corsica
2021 Corse Figari Blanc “Amphora”
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
2018 Vin de France Blanc “Diplomate d’Empire”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
2020 Vin de France Rouge “Ministre Impérial”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
2021 Vin de France Rouge “San Giovanni”
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
2016 Vin de France Blanc “Général de la Révolution”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
2021 Corse Calvi Rouge “E Signurine”
Domaine Maestracci France | Corsica
Extra Virgin Olive Oil “Ghjermana”
Domaine de Marquiliani France | Corsica
2019 Vin de France Rouge “Costa Nera”
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
2021 Corse Figari Blanc
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
2020 Patrimonio Blanc “Cuvée Sarah”
Domaine Giacometti France | Corsica
2022 Vin de France “Le Vin Coule Dans Nos Veines”
Domaine Giacometti France | Corsica
2022 Île de Beauté Rosé “E Croce”
Yves Leccia France | Corsica
2021 Corse Figari Blanc “Amphora”
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
I want you to realize once and for all: Even the winemaker does not know what aging is going to do to a new vintage; Robert Parker does not know; I do not know. We all make educated (hopefully) guesses about what the future will bring, but guesses they are. And one of the pleasures of a wine cellar is the opportunity it provides for you to witness the evolution of your various selections. Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.
Inspiring Thirst, page 171