Notify me
2019 Muscat du Cap Corse “Grotte di Sole”
Jean-Baptiste Arena![- Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant](https://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2019-Muscat-du-Cap-Corse-Grotte-di-Sole-product-image-7129-medium.jpg)
The 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: | 2019 |
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 de Cap Corse Grotte di Sole is a muted wine that ages for 2 months in stainless steel tank |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 14.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
![2021 Vin de France <em>Blanc</em> “Morta Maio” Jean-Baptiste Arena](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2021-Vin-de-France-emBlancem-Morta-Maio-product-image-6816-medium.jpg)
2021 Vin de France Blanc “Morta Maio”
France | Corsica
Lightly golden in color, it conjures up a day spent in the sun: seabreezes and ripe honeydew, including its subtle, savory rind.
![2020 Patrimonio <em>Rouge</em> “Cuvée Sarah” Domaine Giacometti](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2020-Patrimonio-emRougeem-Cuve-Sarah-product-image-7094-medium.jpg)
2020 Patrimonio Rouge “Cuvée Sarah”
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).
![2021 Corse Figari <em>Blanc</em> “Amphora” Clos Canarelli](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2021-Corse-Figari-emBlancem-Amphora-product-image-6798-medium.jpg)
2021 Corse Figari Blanc “Amphora”
France | Corsica
It has a purity and seamlessness—no angles or edges—and a feeling of weightlessness despite its broad, full-bodied, golden flesh.
![2021 Patrimonio <i>Rouge</i> “Grotte di Sole” Jean-Baptiste Arena](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2021-Patrimonio-iRougei-Grotte-di-Sole-product-image-8121-medium.jpg)
2021 Patrimonio Rouge “Grotte di Sole”
France | Corsica
Think classic, spirited Sangiovese with a wilder, slightly darker-fruited, herb-singed character from the ancient seaside maquis-studded limestone.
![2019 Vin de France <em>Blanc</em> “Diplomate d’Empire” Domaine Comte Abbatucci](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2019-Vin-de-France-emBlancem-Diplomate-dEmpire-product-image-5188-medium.jpg)
2019 Vin de France Blanc “Diplomate d’Empire”
France | Corsica
Rich, exotic, and appealing—a monument to the grandeur of the forgotten Corsican varietals.
![2022 Corse Calvi <i>Rouge</i> “Les Marottes d’Anaïs” Domaine Maestracci](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2022-Corse-Calvi-iRougei-Les-Marottes-dAnas-product-image-8224-medium.jpg)
2022 Corse Calvi Rouge “Les Marottes d’Anaïs”
France | Corsica
This is a traditional Corsican red blend—half Niellucciu, half Sciaccarellu—but the vinification is unique.
![2022 Vin de France <i>Rouge</i> “Grotte di Sole” Jean-Baptiste Arena](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-Vin-de-France-iRougei-Grotte-di-Sole-product-image-6796-medium.jpg)
2022 Vin de France Rouge “Grotte di Sole”
France | Corsica
A full-throttle Niellucciu from a sun-soaked limestone vineyard in Patrimonio.
![2021 Patrimonio <em>Blanc</em> “Grotte di Sole” Jean-Baptiste Arena](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2021-Patrimonio-emBlancem-Grotte-di-Sole-product-image-6836-medium.jpg)
2021 Patrimonio Blanc “Grotte di Sole”
France | Corsica
Golden ripe Vermentinu berries are responsible for this fleshy, succulent dry white.
![2021 Corse Figari Rosé Clos Canarelli](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2021-Corse-Figari-Ros-product-image-6304-medium.jpg)
2021 Corse Figari Rosé
France | Corsica
A biodynamic, orange-zesty, multifaceted masterpiece from the most ancient growing region on the island.
![2015 “Diplomate d’Empire” <i>Blanc</i> Domaine Comte Abbatucci](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2015-Diplomate-dEmpire-iBlanci-product-image-2005-medium.jpg)
2015 “Diplomate d’Empire” Blanc
France | Corsica
Extremely limited quantities, maximum three bottles per purchase
![Producer - Jean-Baptiste Arena](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/content_producers/211-1-631450.jpg)
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
2023 Vin de Corse Rosé “Gris de Marquiliani”
Domaine de Marquiliani France | Corsica
2022 Huile d’Olive Vierge Extra
Yves Canarelli France | Corsica
2016 Vin de France Blanc “Général de la Révolution”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
2021 Corse Figari Blanc “Amphora”
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
2017 Patrimonio Rosé
Antoine Arena France | Corsica
2022 Corse Calvi Rouge “Les Marottes d’Anaïs”
Domaine Maestracci France | Corsica
2021 Vin de France Rouge “Monte Bianco”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
2019 Vin de France Blanc “B.G.”
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
2020 Patrimonio Rouge “Cru Des Agriate”
Domaine Giacometti France | Corsica
2019 Patrimonio Rouge “Carco”
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
2016 Costa Nera
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
2021 Île de Beauté Biancu Gentile “L’Altru Biancu”
Yves Leccia France | Corsica
2023 Vin de Corse Rosé “Gris de Marquiliani”
Domaine de Marquiliani France | Corsica
2022 Huile d’Olive Vierge Extra
Yves Canarelli France | Corsica
2016 Vin de France Blanc “Général de la Révolution”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
2021 Corse Figari Blanc “Amphora”
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
2017 Patrimonio Rosé
Antoine Arena France | Corsica
2022 Corse Calvi Rouge “Les Marottes d’Anaïs”
Domaine Maestracci France | Corsica
2021 Vin de France Rouge “Monte Bianco”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
2019 Vin de France Blanc “B.G.”
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
2020 Patrimonio Rouge “Cru Des Agriate”
Domaine Giacometti France | Corsica
2019 Patrimonio Rouge “Carco”
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
2016 Costa Nera
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
2021 Île de Beauté Biancu Gentile “L’Altru Biancu”
Yves Leccia France | Corsica
Vintage Chart Mentality
![Vintage Chart](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/content/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-Vintage-Chart-Mentality-image_img_1-13435-medium.jpeg)
Vintage Chart Mentality
Trust the great winemakers, trust the great vineyards. Your wine merchant might even be trustworthy. In the long run, that vintage strip may be the least important guide to quality on your bottle of wine.—Kermit Lynch