Domaine Fiumicicoli (pronounced phew-me-chikoli) lies at the heart of Corse Sartène, considered to be one of the best of Corsica's nine appellations and close to where the 13th century, Pisan-style bridge, Pont de Spina Cavallu (pictured on their wine labels), spans the river Rizzanesse. The domaine’s vineyards rise up from the slopes of the river on arenaceous and granitic soils, ideally suited to growing the traditional Corsican grape varieties of Sciacarello (from which the domaine makes its rosés), Vermentino (for its whites) and Nielluccio (for its reds, usually blended with a little Syrah).
Temperatures are slightly cooler in this mountainous south-western corner of the island, and the proximity to the sea provides a further cooling influence. The 75 hectare estate was founded by former mathematics professor Félix Andreani in 1964, and it is now run by his son Simon using organic principles. Cool and drying winds - the Mistral, Libecciu, Tramontane, Gregale and Sirocco – blow through the vineyards, playing a regulating and purifying role that enables Félix and Simon to farm without resorting to herbicides and pesticides. Domaine Fiumicicoli makes elegant, aromatic white and rosé wines, a characterful red wine, and it specialises in a unique red dessert wine made from the native Corsican Muscateddu grape.
