Jean-François Renucci, winemaker and owner of Domaine Terra Vecchia since 2011,
told us last May: there will be a second chapter—and here we are!
Together with Raimonds Tomsons, we are witnessing the spectacular progress driven by the work of the dynamic and dedicated new team, supported by the entire Renucci family, notably Maria Stella, Jean-François' daughter, who will eventually take over. Here, family is sacred. This promising young woman is currently a sales assistant working alongside Paul Falipou, the sales director. She participates in events and primarily takes care of Corsican clients. Christophe Paitier, the oenologist, and Maria Efthymiou, the cellar master, give us a tour of the large winery, which uniquely combines an ultra-modern section equipped with cutting-edge machinery such as the tangential filter and membrane contactor, with a more traditional section featuring concrete vats.
The harvest from the 130 hectares of IGP Île de Beauté vineyards surrounding the estate, located at the foot of the Étang de Diana, as well as the 70 hectares of AOP Corse vineyards at Clos Poggiale, just 3 km away, is immediately handled in the winery. Every process is automated to enable precise parcel-based vinification and meticulous blending. Here, there is no aggressive extraction—respect for the grapes is paramount. Christophe Paitier seeks freshness, elegance, all carried by a well-structured backbone.
The identity of the estate is deeply rooted in the typicity of Corsican grape varieties. Vermentinu and Biancu Gentile for the whites, Sciaccarellu and Niellucciu for the reds, make up two-thirds of the vineyard. The remaining third is shared between Minustellu, Carcaghjolu, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Muscato, Syrah, and Grenache. The goal is to bring out the unique character of the native grape varieties without allowing the tannins to overpower. The white and rosé wines can have either a fresh, aromatic profile or a more complex, slightly structured style—there is something for everyone. Consumers may also be pleasantly surprised by the lightness and elegance of the reds, which never exceed 12% alcohol yet stand their ground with great legitimacy.
Enough talking—let’s taste! Raimonds Tomsons revisits the range and discovers some new additions, such as the GRis20 cuvée, a reference to the world-renowned GR20 hiking trail, which has been traversed multiple times by Terra Vecchia’s oenologist.
This rosé embodies everything that makes Corsica beautiful: its nature, with mountains, lagoons (especially the Étang de Diana, right in front of us), and the Tyrrhenian Sea. This lovely Sciaccarellu and Niellucciu cuvée is already making waves both internationally and locally, thanks in part to its screw cap—practical and eco-friendly, perfect for beach picnics! Another noteworthy addition is the Sunset collection, featuring low-alcohol cuvées (9% alcohol) in white and rosé, made without any dealcoholization, while still retaining the IGP Île de Beauté designation.
From the beginning, Domaine Terra Vecchia has had a clear and pioneering vision for its wines, and it’s clear that they consistently hit their target. Once again, Raimonds recognizes and appreciates the 100% Vermentinu, with its freshness and distinctive lemon zest aromas. The Clos Poggiale Cuvée Ange Charles Blanc AOP Corse 2023, made entirely from Vermentinu, wins him over with its depth, floral notes, and fresh finish. As for the rosés, beyond Terra Vecchia Le Gris 2024 and Clos Poggiale AOP Corse 2023, Raimonds highlights the Élégance cuvée from Domaine Terra Vecchia AOP Corse 2024, to which he will add his personal signature.This limited-edition release will bear his name on the bottle, designed by the talented Matthieu Mercier.
During a fun tasting exercise with the estate’s team, Raimonds adjusts the proportion of Sciaccarellu and Niellucciu to achieve his preferred balance, thus creating the new blend for the Élégance cuvée. “I really like the tension and spice of Sciaccarellu, so I prefer it to be dominant. I believe in highlighting Corsican native grape varieties—it’s important”, he says.Thanks to this “signature cuvée,” the Corsican identity will shine wherever the wine travels!
As you can see, Domaine Terra Vecchia continues to evolve—and in the right direction—by bringing in the best experts. See you soon for the next chapter… À vede ci*!
And just for your information, you’ll be able to meet the entire Terra Vecchia team and taste their wines in person at Vinexpo Miami and ProWine Hong Kong in May.
Florence Corbalan
*Corsican for “goodbye”
Domaine Terra Vecchia Blanc IGP Île de Beauté 2024
Color: clear and bright, with a pale lemon green color, green reflection. Nose: very fresh, with elevated aromatics of fresh green apple, pear, grapefruit, fresh cut herbs. Very crystalline, slight note of saline presence. A fruit driven nose. Palate: very precise and fresh attack, with bright and crisp acidity. Full of crunchy green fruits on the midpalate like green apple, grapefruit, green pear. Very good precision with a light saline finish. Comment: excellent with fresh and salty sea food dishes like oyster or fried squid with sea salt, garlic and fresh lime dressing.
Domaine Terra Vecchia Blanc AOP Corse 2024
Color: clear and bright, with a pale lemon green color and youthful green reflection. Nose: saline, with salted aromatic herbs like sage and oregano and dried bay leaf. Hints of preserved lemon, lime zest, slight smokiness. The nose displays more mineral character of Vermentino. Palate: very precise and dry attack, with a very fresh and saline like acidity. Moderate structure with a very precise and fresh midpalate. Full of fresh citrus character, preserved lemon, hints of wild herbs. Fresh almond bitterness on the finish adding lift. Comment: with its saline character this Vermentino will perfectly support a dish with anchovy served with a brioche toast, fried garlic and a tomato chutney.
Clos Poggiale Cuvée Ange-Charles Blanc AOP Corse 2023
Color: clear and brilliant, with a pale lemon green color, green reflections. Nose: moderately aromatic and bright, with savory saline aromatic herbs like oregano, bay leaf. Fresh crushed almond, green papaya and preserved lemon, supported by a spicy character of fennel seed. Gentle notes of toast. Palate: very good bite on the attack, with tension and bright acidity within a moderate frame. Midpalate has precision and oiliness, with fresh citrus, green orchard fruits, almondy bitterness and saline aromatic herbs adding a savory edge. Comment: great wine to pair with fleshy fish with creamy sauces like butter fried sole served with lemon beurre blanc sauce and potatoes confit with some Mediterranean herbs.
Domaine Terra Vecchia Rosé IGP Île de Beauté 2024
Color: clear, bright and brilliant, with a pale pink color and light coppery sheen. Nose: very aromatic nose, driven by esters and presence of yeasty aromatics like banana and pear drop, Fresh, spicy (hint of white pepper), grapefruits. Palate: very fresh and crispy, with a crunchy bright acidity. Light and easy to enjoy, with plenty of pink citrus like grapefruit and lime, combined with a spicy character of white pepper. Comment: a fruit driven rosé, with commercial appeal to combine fresh dishes like fresh carpaccio of tiger prawns with olive oil, garlic, lime zest and touch of white pepper.
Domaine Terra Vecchia Rosé AOP Corse 2024
Color: clear, bright and brilliant, with a pale pink color and a light coppery reflection. Nose: fresh and moderately aromatic nose, with an attractive spicy and savory character, showing notes of fresh grated ginger and white pepper notes of crushed lemongrass, complemented with hints of white peach, rhubarb compote and zesty pink grapefruit. Palate: good freshness and bite on the attack, with a mouthwatering acidity within a moderate frame. Midpalate shows an oily texture and good volume, with fresh pink grapefruit, white peach and a savory-bitter character of salted almonds. Comment: with its slightly savory and spicy character this rosé will support a dish like octopus carpaccio with a slightly spicy dried tomato and chili dressing.
Clos Poggiale Cuvée Ange-Charles Rosé AOP Corse 2024
Color: star bright and brilliant, with a pale pink color and a light coppery sheen. Nose: aromatic nose, with a smoky flinty character. Notes of pink grapefruit and ripe white fleshed peach, creamy bees wax scent, spicy ginger, lemongrass. Good complexity. Palate: generous and ample palate, with very fresh acidity. Midpalate shows good weight with tension and freshness, pink zesty grapefruit, white pepper. Very clean and precise finish. Comment: a more generous and textured style of rosé which would perfectly complement a grilled snapper with fennel and tomatoes.
Domaine Terra Vecchia Vin Rouge AOP Corse 2023
Color: clear and brilliant, with a moderate ruby core and light purple red rim. Nose: perfumed and aromatic, with an attractive ripe and sweet note of strawberry and raspberry, ripe red cherry, scents of violet and light spicy notes of black pepper. Palate: moderately structured with very fresh and precise acidity, combined with chalky grained tannins. Plenty of freshness and sapidity on the midpalate, with crunchy red cherry, raspberry and scents of rose petal. Just a hint of spiciness. Very precise and clean. Comment: very fresh, crispy and balanced red wine which could complement a fried duck fillet served with a lightly spicy soya and teriyaki sauce.
Clos Poggiale Cuvée Ange-Charles Rouge AOP Corse 2023
Color: star bright and brilliant, with a moderate ruby core and light purple red rim. Nose: spicy nose, with black pepper, cinnamon and clove, combined with dark fleshy cherry, dark sweet plum and cassis. Hint of red blossom adding lift and grace. Palate: very good bite and tension with grippy chalky-grained tannins, pleasant warmth and spiciness, moderately build. Spicy midpalate, fresh dark cherry and plum, peppery and light note of dark chocolate. Persistent with a spicy scent on the finish. Comment: great with a slowly roasted Pyrenees lamb served with aromatic herbs and a lamb jus.
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