Vaccelli rosé 2024 Domaine de Vaccelli | Corsica

Vaccelli rosé 2024 | Vaccelli

The Vaccelli Rosé 2024 from Domaine de Vaccelli is one of the most distinguished wines inthe Ajaccio appellation. Gérard Courrèges, a leading figure in Corsican winemaking, has crafted a rosé perfect for fine dining. Far beyond your typical patio rosé, this cuvée is a true rarity in its category.

Terroir and Grape Variety

On north- and west-facing plots, the Sciaccarellu grape soaks up a freshness rare for the region, which slows ripening and allows the berries to concentrate their aromas. The soils, composed of weathered granite that has broken down into coarse sand, drain the sparse rainfall perfectly, forcing the vines to draw water from deep underground. The result: the wine is imbued with a mineral tension that imbues the fresh fruit flavors with a remarkable saline energy.

Viticulture and Winemaking

The wine estate has been certified organic since 2019. The grapes are harvested by hand and selected for their late ripeness. Fermentation is carried out with native yeasts, without any adjustments. The ageing process is remarkable for a rosé: 12 months in barrels, followed by 6 months in concrete eggs. This sequence builds body without adding heaviness. The barrels provide gentle oxygenation, while the concrete egg restores purity and texture. Eighteen months of ageing for a rosé: this is a rare commitment.

Vaccelli rosé 2024 | Vaccelli: The Sommelier’s Review

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin

The Sciaccarellu grape produces many fresh and pleasant rosés in Corsica. This one is in a league of its own. The extended ageing gives it an unusual depth of body. The briny quality is genuine, not just a stylistic effect. This rosé will age easily until 2034 and will reach its full potential around 2028. Serve at 10 °C, without decanting. It pairs beautifully with seared prawns or sun-dried tomatoes stuffed with stracciatella.

The Nose

The nose opens with fresh red berries, wild strawberries, and red currants. A subtle menthol note runs through the bouquet, enriched by hints of white flowers. Grapefruit adds a touch of lively citrus. The overall impression is crisp, crystalline, and completely light.

Palate

On the palate, the attack is lively, almost crisp. The texture is silky, well-structured, and denser than expected for a rosé. The acidity provides structure without being harsh. Red berries and citrus are precisely balanced. The finish is slightly briny, long, with a lingering aftertaste that clearly reflects the terroir’s granite origins.

The Ajaccio Appellation: Everything You Need to Know

The Ajaccio appellation covers the western coast of Corsica, around the island’s capital. It relies almost exclusively on Sciaccarellu for both reds and rosés—a local grape variety with small berries that is sensitive to drought and thrives on the granite-rich soils characteristic of this region. These poor, well-drained soils impart a mineral tension and freshness to the wines that clay-based terroirs cannot replicate. The appellation remains relatively exclusive on a national scale, making it one of the most unique regions in French viticulture.

The 2024 Vaccelli rosé is one of the few Corsican rosés capable of serious aging, and it embodies with panache all the integrity and mineral character of the Ajaccio terroir.