by Molly Surbridge
Antoine Arena is a force of nature. His zest for life and passion for his homeland are infectious. If anyone ever wondered why he is the man celebrated for bringing national attention to natural wine, one only has to taste his wildly terroir-driven libations to lay the question to rest.
2011 Patrimonio Blanc “Haut de Carco”
One famous wine critic, Michel Bettane, said that Arena’s Haut de Carco vineyard is one of the most important pieces of land in France, a perfect example of terroir, the taste of a place. It’s almost a miracle these special grapes even exist on the limestone mountainside. Before using explosives to blast a space for the vineyard, locals and other winemakers balked at the idea, saying it would be impossible for anything to grow there. Lucky for us, Arena and his island spirit of pioneering courage forged ahead against the odds. The vineyard’s steep angle and rocky mountainside position now thrives and produces a structured, complex Vermentino, full of grace and vibrancy. A real knockout! It is also a spectacular spot to enjoy a bottle or two of an aged Patrimonio Blanc Haut de Carco, complete with a view of the lower-lying Carco vineyard, the Mediterranean over each shoulder, and Monte Sant’Angelo on the horizon. Bellissimo.
$45.00 per bottle $486.00 per case
La famille Arena © Gail Skoff
2010 Patrimonio Rouge “Carco”
2010 Patrimonio Rouge “Grotte di Sole”
Niellucciu is the beloved Arena family dog, a friendly Boxer that trails patriarch Antoine’s busy vine-tending heels. Niellucciu was affectionately named after the red varietal planted in both the Carco and the Grotte di Sole vineyards; it is a grape some believe was brought to Corsica from Italian Sangiovese clippings. While the wines produced from the grape Niellucciu certainly do have an affinity for foods that one could enjoy with an Italian Sangiovese, because of their specific terroir, they are distinctly Corsican—meaty, with grippy tannins and rich with exotic maquis. I recommend trying both vineyards’ expressions of the varietal to make your own comparison.
$45.00 per bottle $486.00 per case
$44.00 per bottle $475.20 per case
2011 Vin de france “b.g.”
Arena’s Biancu Gentile is as unique as it is delicious. Tangy stone fruit and a briny piquancy make it a perfect match with seafood. Simply sauté or pan-fry your fish or shellfish, throw in some herbs (especially tarragon) and a squeeze of citrus. Yes, Sí, Oui!
$46.00 per bottle $496.80 per case
