Corsica, mountainous Mediterranean island under French jurisdiction whose wines continue to improve. Situated on the 42nd parallel, Corsica is actually much closer to Italy (83 km/50 miles) than to France (170 km/100 miles). The island, about 180 km long and 80 km wide, comprises a series of mountains around which runs a perimeter of capes, gulfs, and sandy beaches. The average elevation is 586 m/1,900 ft. Corsica produces many different types and styles of wine. Average annual production is 350,000 hl/9.2 million gal with two-thirds of production now leaving the island. About 160,000 hl is sold in mainland France while 60,000 hl exported, particularly to the US, Germany, and Belgium.
