THE MARCH CLASSICS
Corsica & Clos Venturi
Corsica is a land of apparent polarities. It is rugged and windswept, mountainous yet surrounded by sea, culturally French but fiercely independent. Corsican wines reflect that tension. They feel both wild and composed, sun-soaked but lifted by altitude and wind.
Clos Venturi captures that balance beautifully.
The estate was founded in 2005 when Jean-Marc and his son Emmanuel “Manu” Venturi carved out a special section of Domaine Vico in the mountainous interior of the island, near Ponte Leccia. This is not beachside Corsica. The vineyards sit inland at elevation on sandstone and granite soils, where warm Mediterranean days give way to cool nights. That temperature shift is everything. It preserves freshness and aromatics while still allowing full ripeness.
The Venturi family farms organically and biodynamically. Sheep graze the vineyards. Horses are used to plow the vineyards. Native yeasts handle fermentation. And while great wines may be the outcome of such intentionality, the goal is something far more beautiful.
“My philosophy is the same everywhere: high environmental value, organic agriculture, biodynamic agriculture, permaculture, breeding, bee-keeping ... I made these choices for the preservation of my island, my land, the men and women who live there and, more globally, the planet. I am not a utopian, nor an esoteric dogmatic, I am simply a farmer in love with nature and every day I work on this alchemy, I try to observe it, understand it and accompany it simply to pay homage to it. This makes me and my wines better, if not better, then at least consistent with what we are and what our land expresses.”
-MANU VENTURI
Clos Venturi 1769 Blanc 2024
Made entirely from Vermentinu, Corsica’s signature white grape, this wine feels like mountain air with a hint of sea spray.
The nose opens with white flowers, lemon zest, pear, and a touch of peach. There is a stony quality underneath, something that smells faintly of wet rock after rain. On the palate, it is vibrant and textured at the same time. Bright citrus and green apple drive the wine forward, while time on the lees adds a subtle roundness through the mid-palate. The finish is clean, mineral, and lightly saline.
This is a white that feels alive. It works beautifully with grilled fish, shellfish with olive oil and sea salt, or a simple salad with fennel and citrus. It is equally at home as the first bottle opened at a long lunch.
Clos Venturi 1769 Rouge 2023
The red captures a different side of Corsica. It is built primarily from Sciaccarellu and Niellucciu, two indigenous grapes that define the island’s red wine identity.
In the glass, the 2023 Rouge is fresh and lifted. Aromas of raspberry and red currant lead, followed by subtle spice and a faint earthy note. There is brightness to the fruit, but also depth. The palate shows supple tannins and steady acidity, giving the wine structure without heaviness. A small portion sees aging in older oak, which adds softness and gentle spice without dominating the wine.
This is a versatile red. It shines with grilled lamb, herb-roasted pork, or even a well-made ratatouille. It has enough presence to stand up to food, yet enough energy to keep things lively.
