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Vin de France Rouge “Grotte di Sole”
Jean-Baptiste Arena

As the name implies, this vineyard is part of a large series of southerly exposed grottoes that capture the sun’s rays fully throughout the day. The site has produced many of the Arena family’s finest Nielluccius over the years. This is a serious wine of deep structure and intensity. Think classic, spirited Sangiovese with a wilder, slightly darker-fruited, herb-singed character from the ancient seaside maquis-studded limestone. This bottling will be good for many years to come.
—Dixon Brooke
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | NV |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Niellucciu |
Appellation: | Vin de France |
Country: | France |
Region: | Corsica |
Producer: | Jean-Baptiste Arena |
Winemaker: | Jean-Baptiste Arena |
Vineyard: | 60 years, 2 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 12.5% |
More from this Producer or Region

2016 Vin de France Blanc “Grotte di Sole”
France | Corsica
Golden ripe Vermentinu berries are responsible for this fleshy, succulent dry white.

2021 Patrimonio Blanc “Grotte di Sole”
France | Corsica
Golden ripe Vermentinu berries are responsible for this fleshy, succulent dry white.

2020 Patrimonio Rouge “Grotte di Sole”
France | Corsica
A full-throttle Niellucciu from a sun-soaked limestone vineyard in Patrimonio.

2015 Vin de France Blanc “Grotte di Sole”
France | Corsica
The chalky minerality, the salt sea, the bitter tinge of ripe Vermentino grapes—combine that with fish soup or fish stew and revel in the result.

2019 Patrimonio Rouge “Morta Maio”
France | Corsica
A vibrant tonic akin to a savory brew of muddled stone, wild herbs, and salty sea air.

2021 Corse Figari Rosé
France | Corsica
A biodynamic, orange-zesty, multifaceted masterpiece from the most ancient growing region on the island.

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.

2021 Vin de France Rouge “Sempre Cuntentu”
France | Corsica
The name is Corsican for “always happy,” and you’ll understand exactly why immediately upon pulling the cork.

2021 Corse Calvi Rosé “E Prove”
France | Corsica
A perfect mix of fennel, strawberry, and some Corsican sun.

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
2016 Costa Nera
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2021 Corse Calvi Rosé “E Prove”
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2017 Vin de France Blanc “Général de la Révolution”
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2021 Vin de Corse Rosé “Gris de Marquiliani”
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2020 Patrimonio Blanc “San Giovanni”
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2018 Patrimonio Rouge
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2015 Vin de France Blanc “Grotte di Sole”
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2019 Vin de France Blanc “Général de la Révolution”
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2016 Costa Nera
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2021 Corse Calvi Rosé “E Prove”
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2017 Vin de France Blanc “Général de la Révolution”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
2021 Vin de Corse Rosé “Gris de Marquiliani”
Domaine de Marquiliani France | Corsica
2020 Patrimonio Blanc “San Giovanni”
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
2018 Patrimonio Rouge
Domaine Giudicelli France | Corsica
2015 Vin de France Blanc “Grotte di Sole”
Jean-Baptiste Arena France | Corsica
2018 Corse Figari Blanc
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
2020 Vin de France Rosé “Valle di Nero”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
2017 Muscat du Cap Corse
Antoine Arena France | Corsica
2021 Patrimonio Rosé “E Croce”
Yves Leccia France | Corsica
2019 Vin de France Blanc “Général de la Révolution”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
If you're looking for value, look where no one else is looking.
Inspiring Thirst, page 211