Portraits of winemakers

COSTE CASERONE: BOLD WINES DRIVEN BY THE DYNAMISM OF A PASSIONATE WOMAN ON THE ISLE OF BEAUTY

481 Views Posted on: 2024-05-31
 

DOMAINE COSTE CASERONE

Comprising 36 hectares, with 24 of them dedicated to vineyards surrounded by olive trees and scrubland, this estate unfolds on land rich in history, traversed by the Caserone stream from which it takes its name. We meet Brigitte Bertrand-Orsini, the passionate owner of the estate since 2010.

A Successful Challenge

Brigitte Bertrand-Orsini is what one might call a woman of challenges. This granddaughter of a Provençal winemaker, who has lived in Corsica for 50 years and never inherited any vineyard land, has indeed had an unusual journey. A businesswoman, stained-glass artist, and then owner and manager of the U San Francescu hotel in Moriani, this dynamic entrepreneur always had a desire to return to the land. Courageous and passionate, she trained later in life at 40, at the Borgo Agricultural High School and then at the University of Wine in Suze-la-Rousse. In 2010, she realized her dream by purchasing Domaine Coste Caserone. Brigitte spares no effort in producing quality wines. In addition to working with native Corsican grape varieties such as Niellucciu and Sciaccarellu, she also produces Chardonnay and Chenin, a rare feat in Corsica.

Highly respectful of the environment, she limits inputs and takes daily care of the vineyard, which is currently undergoing conversion to organic farming. While many are retiring at her age, Brigitte is already thinking ahead with plans for a conversion to biodynamic farming. She can also count on the help of her daughter, Marie-Aube Orsini, since July 2017, to whom she has passed on her love for wine. Facing the legendary island of Montecristo and Elba Island, the 24-hectare vineyard, all in one plot proudly overlooking the sea, features clay-schist soil where the vines take deep root. From this exceptional terroir, she seeks to extract its finest expression while preserving it. Brigitte's passion shines throughout France at trade fairs and events, and increasingly abroad, especially in Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, and the United States.

Elegant and Surprising Wines

Today, Brigitte offers a complete range of five wines under the AOC Corse and IGP Ile de Beauté labels. Among these is the Duo cuvée, available in red, white, and rosé, named for its blend of two grape varieties. The Duo 2015 red cuvée is a blend of Niellucciu and Sciaccarellu, authentic Corsican grape varieties. This elegant wine charms with its notes of candied fruits and red fruits, as well as its generous and velvety structure. With an aging potential of 8 to 10 years, this red wine pairs beautifully with grilled meats, light cheeses, or even red fruit desserts.

The Duo rosé 2017 cuvée in AOC Corse is a true gastronomic rosé with a beautiful minerality and gourmet aromas of peach, citrus, exotic fruits, and peony. Its freshness and character make it the ideal companion for a platter of Corsican charcuterie, sea urchins, or even barbecue grills.

Lastly, the Duo white 2017 cuvée in IGP Ile de Beauté is a blend of Chardonnay and Chenin, a bold choice for Corsica given that these are the flagship grape varieties of Burgundy and the Loire Valley, respectively. "Starting relatively late, I had to set myself apart from my fellow winemakers by creating different wines that stand out," Brigitte explains. This fresh and mineral wine, with aromas of mango, pineapple, passion fruit, and also white flowers, pairs well with a sea bream carpaccio with Corsican clementine.

Determined to innovate and explore the vast field of possibilities, Brigitte once stumbled upon an unusual discovery. By serendipity, she created a unique wine with a particular aging process, the Suleone cuvée. Indeed, part of this cuvée's blend, namely Muscat of Alexandria, is aged in glass demijohns (54L) exposed to the sun in the scrubland for over a year. Suleone is the fruit of this exceptional juice matured in the sun as some Greeks did in Antiquity, combined with a precise blend of Chardonnay and Chenin. The result? A sublime amber robe, aromas of candied fruits, citron, and a slight scent of scrubland. In short, an invitation to travel from the subtle alliance of land and sun. "These golden drops from the estate warm the heart and delight the taste buds," concludes Brigitte. Ideal as an aperitif, this wine pairs perfectly with pan-seared foie gras, authentic Roquefort cheese, chocolate desserts, or even a mango gazpacho accompanied by a lemon sorbet.

As you can see, Brigitte Bertrand-Orsini creates wines of pleasure that reflect a unique and preserved terroir. If you make a stop on the enchanting Isle of Beauty, you now know where to visit!