ABOUT: After studying economics in Marseilles, Yves Canarelli shifted gears and took over his fathers vineyard in a small village outside the famous Figari region of southern Corsica. Confident in the local grape varieties found on the island, he dug up the existing vineyards and replanted with indigenous Niellucciu & Sciaccarellu, as well as bits of Syrah and Grenache. Biodynamics are employed in this challenging region and the wines produced are complex and sophisticated, not to mention entirely natural. He, along with other notable Corsican producer Antoine Arena are drawing attention to the amazing minds and wines that originate here.
Check out an excellent travelogue about Canarelli written by Tom Fiorina at The Vine Route. TASTE: Once teetering on the edge of extinction, native Corsican white grape Bianco Gentile was brought back to life in the 1990’s with Clos Canarelli and Antoine Arena leading the resurrection party. Canarelli pull their BG’s from vines in Figari and have been crafting this single variety white with success, amphorae and all. This wine has sappy exotic fruit aromas and flavors, passion fruit, papaya, and pineapple with peaches and apricots and their pits. Tangy lime and thyme on a bed of shredded coconut with a medium body and nicely balanced medium+ acidity. A long, acid driven finish, with developed flavors and room for more. PAIR:Chestnut flour polenta, Zucchini and Pecorino salad, honey roasted vegetables with hazelnuts, Dorado –style bean and cheese burrito, and a spinach an artichoke frittata.
