Domaine Pieretti
Domaine Pieretti
+ History
The Pieretti name has been assiciated with grape growing in Corsica for generations. The Domaine was founded by her grandfather, but the family history goes back beyond the founding of Domaine Pieretti. Lina took over 3HA from her father in 1989, a hard year marked by tragic wildfires in Corsica. She has since grown the domaine to 14HA - which is truly something considering the total area of the Cap Corse appellation is below 40HA. As one might imagine, she is one of only a handful of vignerons making wine here. The vines, like most vines in the Cap Corse, are dramatically positioned either stunningly close to the sea or on steep mountain slopes.
Lina is very precise about farming and while some of her vineyards are certified organic, others she finds too inaccessible to be 100% organic. Regardless, the farming is clean and responsible.
The winemaking is simple and straightforward. The only thing she does that might be considered a winemaking 'trick' is to cool the fruit down before fermentation. She harvests early in the morning and then leaves the grapes in a cold room for a bit before processing the fruit. The reds undergo spontaneous fermentation and the white and rosé are innoculated with a cultured yeast from the property. Most wines see only steel.
Lina is a charming but direct woman, something that I am sure has served her well as one of only a few women making wine in Corsica. Her wines relect this personality as well as the water, wind and rocks that define the Cap Corse.
Domaine Pieretti Blanc Coteaux du Cap Corse
+ Wine Notes
It is surprising to taste wines this fresh when one is on-site at Domaine Pieretti. It's hot and dry on The Cap. One expects to taste something akin to Southern Rhone whites, but the Sea does wonders and Lina is fanatical about harvesting at the right moment, picking the fruit as cool as possible, and then cooling it down further before fermentation. The results speak for themselves.
+Technical Details
VARIETIES: Vermentino
Appellation: Coteaux du Cap Corse
VINEYARDS: Estate vineyards. Coastal plots. Clay and Schist soils.
VINE AGE: 25 to 30 years old
FARMING: Lutte Raisonée. She has some vineyards certified organic, others she prefers to not certify but farm as close to organic as she feels she can.
WINEMAKING: Hand harvested at the coolest point of the day. Put directly into cold storage to drop temperature even more. Fermented and aged in stainless steel. She innoculates the ferment with yeast cultured from her vineyards.
Domaine Pieretti Rosé Coteaux du Cap Corse
+ Wine Notes
Rosé really does work well in Corsica. It's hard not to grab the slightly pink hued bottle when the Mediterranean Sea is sparkling in the background. This one is fresh and bright but also a little savory. The palate has more depth than the color would lead you to believe. It conveys the character of the Cap Corse quite well.
+Technical Details
VARIETIES: 70% Nielluccio, 30% Grenache
VINEYARDS: Estate vineyards. Steep mountain slopes as well as sea side plots. Clay and Schist soils.
VINE AGE: 20 to 70 years old
FARMING: Lutte Raisonée. She has some vineyards certified organic, others she prefers to not certify but farm as close to organic as she feels she can.
WINEMAKING: Hand harvested at the coolest time of day. Harvested for Rosé - not Saignée. Put directly into cold storage to drop temperature. Fermented in steel with yeast cultured from vineyard. Fermented and aged in steel.
Domaine Pieretti Rouge Coteaux du Cap Corse
+ Wine Notes
People say Corsica is not really France, but its own culture. People say the same of Sardegna and Italy. And it's so very true on both counts. The character of this wine walks the line much like the cultures do on these islands. It hints at France, it nods to Italy, but it's pure Corsican. Medium bodied and crunchy with a bit more structure and freshness than you expect, but laced with the wildness of garrigue and Southern France.
+Technical Details
VARIETIES: 70% Nielluccio, 30% Grenache
VINEYARDS: Estate vineyards. Steep mountain slopes as well as sea side plots. Clay and Schist soils.
VINE AGE: 20 to 70 years
FARMING: Lutte Raisonée. She has some vineyards certified organic, others she prefers to not certify but farm as close to organic as she feels she can.
WINEMAKING: Hand harvested at the coolest part of day. Grapes are put directly into cold storage to drop temp even more. Fermented in steel with native yeast. Aged in steel.