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KERMIT LYNCH WINE MERCHANT

Technical Information

Wine Blend Vine Age Soil Type Vineyard Area*
Bianco Gentile
Bianco Gentile Planted in 1997 Clay, limestone .5 ha
Patrimonio Blanc
Carco
Vermentinu Planted in 1987 Limestone, chalk, clay 1 ha
Vin de France Blanc
“Cuvée Kermit Lynch”
50% Bianco Gentile
50% Vermentinu
Planted in 1987, 1997 Clay, Limestone, Chalk N/A
Patrimonio Rosé
Niellucciu Planted in 2001 Chalk, clay, limestone .5 ha
Patrimonio Rouge
Carco
Niellucciu Planted in 1987 Limestone, chalk, clay 2 ha
Patrimonio Rouge
“Morta Maio”
Niellucciu Planted in 2001 Clay, limestone, schist 2 ha
Muscat du Cap Corse
Muscat à Petit Grains Planted in 1982, 1992, 1995 Clay, limestone 1 ha
Vin de France Muscat
Muscat à Petit Grains Planted in 1983 Clay, limestone 1 ha
* "ha" = hectares; one hectare equals roughly two and a half acres

VITICULTURE / VINIFICATION

• Corsican spellings of grape varieties


Whites:

• Hand harvested (yields usually around 40 hl/ha)

• Natural fermentation, low doses of sulfur, cement cuve, no wood

• Long fermentations, then wines are aged for 6 to 8 months on fine lees in stainless steel tanks

• Wines complete malolactic fermentation

• Most vintages are bottled unfiltered

• Vin de France Blanc “Vendange Tardive” is harvested in November

Reds:

• Hand harvested (yields usually around 35 hl/ha)

• Natural fermentation, with infrequent doses of sulfur, cement cuve, no oak

• Long macerations from 6 to 9 weeks, with regular punch-downs

• Long élévages, up to 2 years in concrete tanks

• Patrimonio “Carco” Rouge is partially aged in 350 L, old barrels

• No fining, no filtration


Patrimonio Rosé:

• Rosé made from direct press

• Malolactic fermentation is always completed

• Vines are mostly situated in the “Morta Maio” vineyard


Carco:

The Carco vineyard is on an eastern facing slope, cleared of its maquis and planted in 1987 by Antoine. The name of the parcel, Carco, dates back to at least Napoleonic times, and in Corsican means “busy,” most likely due to the fact that it was covered in densely planted olive trees at that time, before being abandoned. Two different wines come from this vineyard: the Patrimonio Carco Rouge, from Niellucciu (1ha). Niellucciu (Corsican spelling) vines are the descendants of Sangiovese vines brought to Patrimonio by Pisans in the 12th century when Corsica was a part of the Republic of Pisa. “Niel” in Corsican means black, and “lucciu” is an endearing term for something small, thus the name given to the grape for its dark color and small berries. While Niellucciu and Sangiovese are indeed cousins, the Niellucciu of Patrimonio has had nearly nine centuries to adapt to the particularities of the local terroir. The second wine is the Patrimonio Carco Blanc (2ha), 100% Vermentinu. (Vermentinu arrived in Patrimonio well before Niellucciu, although the date of its arrival is still unclear). Both the rouge and blanc from this parcel are marked by a limestone nerve and minerality.


“Morta Maio”:

The Morta Maio vineyard was planted in 2001 with only Niellucciu. There is just a single cuvée from this parcel, the Patrimonio “Morta Maio” Rouge. This is often the most approachable of the reds when young—dark, earthy, chewy and juicy.

Morta Maio translates as “The Eldest Myrtle.” Morta = Myrtle in Corsican, the shrub that makes up the bulk of the maquis in Patrimonio. (In other parts of Corsica they spell Morta as Murtha, where you can see more of the resemblance to the word Myrtle). Maio = The Eldest, or the oldest. This parcel, which has belonged to the Arena family for over 400 years, immediately surrounds their house and was used as brush pasture for the donkeys who worked the vines. Since the parcel has been in use for so long (longer than the 400 years it has belonged to the Arenas) the term “Maio” was added to it.


Bianco Gentile:

Bianco Gentile is a variety native to the island, which was considered lost until a small parcel was found up the highlands of Corsica. Antoine and a small group of vigneron friends took some cuttings from that last remaining vineyard, and planted it back on his property, effectively saving it from extinction. Patrimonio regulations, drawn up when the grape was considered extinct, don't allow for its use in the A.O.C., so the wine is a Vin de France. The parcel is situated between the Carco and Grotte di Sole vineyards.


Muscat du Cap Corse:

There is also a small parcel of Muscat à Petits Grains that goes into the Muscat du Cap Corse cuvée. It is a low-yielding parcel, which is then fortifies with Corsican grappa, as tradition and A.O.C. rules require. His Muscat is never over the top nor syrupy but is always floral and delicate. The Arenas also produce a small quantity of unfortified Muscat that is mostly consumed locally.

General Information

Country
France
Region
Corsica
Appellation(s)
Patrimonio, Muscat du Cap Corse
Producer
Antoine Arena
Founded
16th Century
Annual Production
5,500 cases
Farming
Organic (certified)
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