Général de la Révolution Blanc VdF 2024

A dry white wine that showcases the finesse of almost-forgotten white island varieties. At 12.5% Vol. it stays lean; its appeal lies in the tension between clear floral aromatics and a saline undertone.

Domaine Abbatucci sits at 150 metres above sea level in the Taravo valley in southwestern Corsica. The vines grow on granitic sandy soils whose natural north and northeast exposure gives the estate's wines their freshness. The Vin de France declaration is a deliberate choice: it gives Jean-Charles Abbatucci the freedom to work with varieties not permitted under appellation rules.

The blend brings together Vermentino (Rolle), Biancone-Riminese and Paga Debiti. These varieties come from the ampelographic collection that Antoine Abbatucci assembled in the 1960s as president of Corsica's chamber of agriculture: eighteen indigenous varieties he saved from disappearing. Grapes are hand-harvested into small crates, followed by meticulous selection in the cellar.

On the nose, linden blossom, violet and wild mint. On the palate, the wine stays direct and dry, carried by the herbal spice of the maquis already found in the estate's grapes: myrtle, fennel, wild lavender. The finish rests on a fine salinity.

Jean-Charles Abbatucci took over the estate in 1992 and converted it to biodynamic farming in 2000; it has been Demeter-certified since 2005, with the logo featured on the label. Instead of heavy machinery, a horse-drawn plough loosens the soil, a flock of sheep provides cover cropping and fertilisation, and preparations made from medicinal herbs strengthen the vines. All work follows the biodynamic calendar developed by Maria Thun.