TASTE LE TOUR 2013 ep171  Corsica
Channel: Peter J Warren
Date: 27/06/2020

Corsica
This is the great historical town of Calvi on the west coast of Corsica. 

Its beauty makes it one of the most popular summer destinations.


Voice over

Arriving towards the end of my visit in this stunning Island I realise that Corsicans are very proud about their Gastronomy.

In every town the local specialties are on display in a gourmet store or market.

The local olive oil made with very ripe black olives is very sweet.

Live Crayfish are for sale for family feasts
Freshly picked Citrus fruit are everywhere on display. 

Orange trees are even grown in city squares and the sweet and sour Clementines are transformed into exquisite jams.

Corsican wines have been made since Roman times and fine wines are produced almost all around the island on the hilly slopes closest to the coast.

Clos Culombu a winery just north of Calvi has produced excellent reds whites and rosés for the last 40 years.  

The owner Etienne Suzzoni is dedicated to making great wines.

Interview Etienne Suzzoni

Ici on est dans une parcelle de sciaccarello
Here we are in a vineyard of Sciaccarello grapes

c'est un le cépage le plus typique de l'Ile.
It's one of the most typical grape varieties on the Island

dans les rouges et dans les rosée avec le Niellucio.
for red wines and rosés together with Niellucio

Pour les blanc bien sur c'est le Vermentino.
For the whites it is of course the Vermentino grape.

qui lui est chez lui en Mediterranée et en corse particulièrement 
Which is at home in the mediterranean region and in particular Corsica.

avec des variante selon les terroirs selon l'influence des montagne 
with variations depending on the soils and the influence of the mountain climate

mais toujours le bord de mer qui lui donne un style qui est unique
But the proximity of the sea side gives it a unique style


Nous sommes un vignoble en culture biologique
We run a biodynamic vineyard.

donc on est dans des pratiques ou on respecte la terre.
So our practice respects nature

les fumures sont a base de composte.
We enrich our soil with compost 


Nos vins sont sur des fruits, des fruits et des epices des qu'on les garde.
Our wines are fruity and fruity and spicy as they get a little older.

On les boit plutôt jeune.
We tend to drink them young

Gabriel to camera 

This is really delicious. It is actually the best Corsican wine that I have every tasted.
It’s great

 Poulet Marengo aux Olives
Chicken Marengo with Olives

This flavoursome chicken Marengo is one of the most famous French dishes and was created for Napoleon Bonaparte.

I first brown some chicken pieces in a little oil, seasoning with salt and pepper.

Gabriel to camera

  'I like to cook the chicken, skin-side first, to melt the excess fat and to give it a lovely golden colour.'

Voice over

Then I transfer the chicken to a roasting pan and bake in the oven at 160°C for about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, I add some shallots to the pan and 1 tablespoon of thyme.

After a few minutes I add 4 pieces of orange peel and half a glass of Corsican white wine and boil until the wine has almost evaporated.

Next I stir in 2 cups of diced tomato for a few minutes and add the chicken pieces with 2 tablespoons of olives.

When it's hot, I serve the chicken with a little sauce and freshly cooked broad beans.

It's very popular and I understand why Napoleon loved poulet Marengo.

Gabriel to camera

Tomorrow we are in Nice on the splendid Riviera and we visit a great market and an olive grove.