With the fragrances of the Mediterranean scrub and the melodic sound of the waves, the AOC region of Ajaccio invites you on a journey of the senses, through golden sands and vineyards cultivated on granite soil: a Sciaccarello rosé at sunset, the taste of Corsica captured in a glass.
In the heart of South Corsica, surrounded by the gentle slopes of the granite hills overlooking the Mediterranean, lies Ajaccio: a charming destination that combines the powerful presence of the sea with the elegance of an exceptional winegrowing industry. The area of Ajaccio AOC, formerly Coteaux d’Ajaccio, stretches across vines planted at around 500 metres above sea level in a terroir of granite soil basking in more than 2,700 hours of sunlight per year and cooled down by the sea and mountain breezes. This combination of natural elements produces wines with a clear identity and an authentic Mediterranean personality.
The region, bordering the sea and immersed in the fragrance of the Mediterranean scrub, combines picture-postcard scenery, whiter-than-white beaches and hidden coves, with vineyards with centuries of winegrowing tradition. A place where travel becomes a sensory experience, where there’s a story to be told in every sip and the views pan out from vineyards to beaches.
The typical wines of Ajaccio: Sciaccarello & the others
At the heart of the production is Sciaccarello, an aromatic red grape variety considered the jewel in the crown of Corsican winegrowing. This variety, grown predominantly in this area, produces elegant, spicy and fragrant red and rosé wines, with aromas of red berries, spices, tobacco and wild flowers. Red Ajaccio wines are medium-bodied, with a soft but robust structure, and are lighter in colour than other reds; they can be aged for 4 to 6 years and should be served at 15‑17°C.
The AOC standards specify that the red or rosé wines must contain at least 60% Sciaccarello (or at least 40%, varying according to sources) and that the remainder must be made up of Niellucciu, Vermentino, Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan (the latter no more than 15%). The white wines are mainly produced from Vermentino, sometimes blended with Ugni Blanc, Biancu Gentile and other local varieties: they produce fine, fresh, aromatic wines with notes of citrus, green apple, white peach and Mediterranean herbs.
Overall, Corsican wines, including rosés, are popular for their mineral freshness, their fruity vibrancy and lively character. If you would also like to discover the wines typical of North Corsica, read our article on the wine routes from Bastia.
Tours of vineyards, wineries and Mediterranean views
1. Ajaccio vineyard tour
Start off with a tour of the vineyards overlooking the turquoise waters lapping the coast, to explore the Ajaccio AOC within the fragrant landscape of the Mediterranean scrub.
2. Visit to iconic wineries
Just a few kilometres outside of the city, wineries such as Domaine Comte Peraldi or Domaine de Pratavone offer tasting sessions against idyllic backdrops, with vineyards and traditional farmhouses overlooking the sea.
3. Sensory tastings
The wineries welcome their guests not just as tourists but as tasters: tasting an elegant red Sciaccarello, with aromas of flowers and spices, or a fresh white Vermentinu, with citrus notes and herbaceous hints from the wild Mediterranean scrub.
4. Food and wine experience
In the hills you can make a stop in small villages with local restaurants serving wholesome dishes: Corsican charcuterie, brocciu cheese, soups, stews, chestnut polenta; typical ingredients washed down nicely with a glass of full-bodied red or a crisp rosé.
5. Beaches and a sundowner
After a morning of barrels and vines, go down to the neighbouring beaches – such as Capo di Feno or other quiet coves – with a well-chilled bottle of Vermentinu or rosé for a drink in the golden light: the perfect meeting of wine and water.
In every glass, Ajaccio tells a story of light, rocks, the sea and ancient vines. The combination of the lush Mediterranean landscape and the authentic elegance of its wines makes this destination a must for anyone wishing to explore the aromas of the wine and the colours of the sea. It’s a sensory journey, a tale to be enjoyed between beaches and wineries, between sips and idyllic views.
And thanks to Volotea, all of this is well within reach: its low-cost flights take you straight to Ajaccio, where a food and wine experience awaits you, in the windswept vineyards and crystal-clear waters of Corsica.
