Domaine Arena Jean Baptiste - Grotte di Sole - Red 2019
Domaine Jean-Baptiste Arena has established itself today as one of the leading names in contemporary Corsican viticulture. Heir to a family tradition deeply rooted in Patrimonio, Jean-Baptiste continues the path laid out by his father Antoine, a pioneer of the island's distinctive and authentic wines. On these limestone lands swept by the sea breeze, the estate cultivates its vines organically, respecting the fragile balance between rock, scrubland, and sea.
The Grotte di Sole Rouge 2019 comes from an exceptional terroir, a natural amphitheater facing due south where Niellucciu reaches its finest expression. The old, deeply rooted vines produce concentrated grapes, harvested by hand and vinified with artisanal precision. Fermentation takes place naturally, without additives, before a long aging in vats and then in foudres, to preserve the purity of the fruit and the mineral structure of the soil. The 2019 vintage, warm and balanced, produced an intense, sunny wine of rare elegance.
On the nose, the bouquet opens with notes of ripe black fruits, fig and garrigue, with a touch of leather and myrtle typical of the Corsican maquis. On the palate, the body is ample and chiseled: fine tannins, silky texture, vibrant energy. The finish, long and saline, reveals a Mediterranean depth and mineral precision that characterizes the terroir of Grotte di Sole.
This great Corsican wine pairs perfectly with confit lamb shoulder, roast game, or mature sheep's milk cheese. Serve between 16 and 17°C, after aerating for one hour to reveal its full complexity.
Grape variety: Niellucciu