Ajaccio

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Terroir

• The geological substratum rests on the Hercynian crystalline basement of Corsica, known as the 'ancient Corsica of magmatic rocks', dominated by granitic terrain.
• Soils developed on these granites are most often light, sandy-gravelly, poor, dry, and free-draining, with little water-holding capacity.
• The zone divides into two territories: a maritime façade not exceeding 150 to 200 metres in altitude, characterised by sea breezes and coastal fogs, and a nearby hinterland reaching up to 400 metres, with more substantial rainfall and a greater diversity of mesoclimates.
• The strongly maritime Mediterranean climate is regulated by ever-present winds, with the Tramontane and the Libecciu both dominated by the Maestrale.
• The region is the sunniest in Corsica, with 2,728 hours of sunshine per year in Ajaccio, and its mild, temperate character makes the Gulf of Ajaccio a region of early springs.
• The landscape is shaped by a succession of east–west-oriented valleys forming micro-regions whose boundaries are sometimes difficult to cross, accentuated by coastal rivers that can be powerful.
• The geographical zone extends across the territory of 36 communes in the département of Corse-du-Sud, from the Gulf of Porto to that of Valinco.

• The appellation d'origine contrôlée 'Coteaux d'Ajaccio' was defined by a decree of 21 April 1971, following an application for VDQS recognition submitted as early as 1967.
• The geographical zone was narrowed from 85 to 36 communes before the appellation d'origine contrôlée 'Ajaccio' was recognised on 3 April 1984.

• The rosé wines, made essentially from the sciaccarello and grenache varieties, are described as elegant and refined, with fruity, spicy, and sometimes mineral notes.
• The red wines, strongly marked by the sciaccarello variety, display discreet tannins that give ample room to aromas of small red fruits, blackcurrant, almond, and spice, with a bright, medium-intensity colour.
• The white wines are dominated by the vermentino variety, which must be present in a proportion of at least 80% in blends, and express a characteristic minerality and floral distinction.

• This edapho-climatic complex offers the sciaccarello variety — the 'crunchy' grape — its preferred ecological niche, allowing it to achieve ideal ripeness that guarantees the originality and balance of the wines.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in France

Sources

• Product specification (BO Agri, PDF) — approved 6 décembre 2019, JORF 8 décembre 2019
• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry
• Official trade body site — CIV Corse — Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Corse