2020 PATRIMONIO ROSÉ, Orenga de Gaffory. Corsica

Patrimonio is in northern Corsica; a region of around 500 hectares stretching inland from the coast, near the Gulf of Saint Florent. It was the first of the nine Corsican appellations, established in 1968. Red and rosé wine must be from predominantly Niellucciu, white wine from Vermentino.

100% Nielucciu (the Corsican clone of Tuscany’s Sangiovese). Fermented at 18-20c and matured in stainless steel to retain freshness.

The winery was created in 1966 by Pierre Orenga de Gaffory and run since 1974 by his son, Henry. The 56 hectares of vines, spread across the island, are managed by Piotr Nowicki and his wife Karolina, who previously worked in the UK at Bolney in West Sussex. They also grow indigenous grapes Sciaccarellu and Minustellu, plus Grenache and Muscat. They are fully organic from 2019.

Light but serious. This is outstanding rosé