Morta Maio, Antoine Arena, Patrimonio, Corsica

Morta Maio, Antoine Arena, Patrimonio, Corsica. Morta Maio is a vineyard that is slightly flatter than Arena's others, and closer to the village of Patrimonio. Here, Niellucciu produces an elegant style of red wine. After a few years of aging, it develops a beautiful balance. Almost Burgundian in style, but with clear southern temperament. Earthy and energetic. Truly delicious.

Also try the beautiful white wine Carco Blanc and the Sangiovanni red and white.

• Serve: around 15 °C
• Drink: now until 2030+

Arena, best producer in Corsica

Winery Antoine Arena & Fils is considered by many to be the best producer in Corsica. Antoine Arena is also the driving force behind the now great reputation of Corsican wines. His sons are now also involved.

Arena has been cultivating the vineyards for well over 10 years biodynamically. Everything is done with minimal intervention and as naturally as possible. For example, most wines are not fined or filtered, and are bottled with little to no sulfites.

Most of Domaine Arena's wines mature in cement and stainless steel tanks. They hardly work with wooden barrels. Only a few cuvées receive used large wood. Arena gives white wines a long fermentation, followed by full 'malo' (malolactic fermentation: conversion of malic acid into softer lactic acid, malus is apple in Latin).

The red wines often mature in tanks for up to 2 years. After that, they are bottled without filtering or fining. The white wines mature - largely sur lie - for 6 to 10 months before bottling. Also usually without filtering. Both the white and red wines can age for a long time. But while the white wines are drinkable young, the red wines benefit from at least a few years of bottle aging.

Morta Maio, Antoine Arena, Patrimonio, Corsica. Red wine from Niellucciu.