The Agriates desert

Old attic of the microregions of Balagne and Nebbiu, where an intense agropastoral activity took place, it is now a vast virgin space. This desert, named because it is very poorly inhabited, starts from the beach of Ostriconi, until Saint-Florent. 15 000 hectares of a human arranged nature where are intertwined steep peaks, impenetrable maquis, watercourses and heavenly beaches. These pearls of the Mediterranean are named Saleccia, Ghignu, Trave, Lotu. The sand is of an intense white, and the blue is a deep turquoise.

Regularly, « pagliaghji » (barns) appear at road intersections. These little buildings, built in dry-stones are the symbol of pastoral Corsica. It is a name inherited from the word hay (« paille » in French), the purpose of this buildings being in the beginning to protect hay. When weather conditions were worsening, shepherds could find a refuge too. A collection of barns, that have remarkably travelled thought time, are located near the beach of Ghignu. It is possible to book online to stay during the summer season. Even if the desert is a maze of pathways, it is also interrupted, in its southern part, by the departmental road 81, that goes through Casta, hamlet of Santo-Pietro di Tenda. If the Agriate region is known for its incredible beaches, the quality of its wines is also noticeable, made from a terroir with great strengths. On this mother land, winemakers are installed for generations. Among them, the Pinelli family.

Beyond the red wines, made from niellucciu, a predominant grape variety in the north of the island, Impassitu is also vinified. This liquor-like wine, speciality of Cap Corse, is a raisined potion, particularly sweet, that it is nice to have at the end of a dinner, with dessert ; or maybe facing a marvelous sunset on the beaches of the Agriates desert.

If the Agriate region is known for its incredible beaches, the quality of its wines is also noticeable, made from a terroir with great strengths.

Text & Photos : Sébastien Leroy