Clos Venturi “Brama” Syrah

Corsica, France |  2021

Clos Venturi is one of the rising stars on the island of Corsica. Founded in the late 1990s by Jean-Marc Venturi and now led by his son Manu, the estate sits inland from the eastern coast near Ponte-Leccia, at the crossroads of mountain and sea influences. From the beginning, Clos Venturi committed to organic and biodynamic farming, long before it was fashionable on the island, with a focus on transparency of place rather than extraction or polish.

The vineyards lie in the rugged heart of Corsica, where altitude, decomposed granite, schist, and limestone soils combine with strong diurnal shifts. Warm Mediterranean days are tempered by cool nights and constant airflow from the surrounding mountains, preserving freshness and structure even in warmer vintages. While Clos Venturi is best known for its work with indigenous Corsican varieties, Syrah has proven especially well suited to this landscape.

“Brama” comes from higher-elevation parcels farmed biodynamically and is vinified with restraint—native fermentations, gentle extraction, and aging primarily in neutral vessels to avoid masking the wine’s character. The result is a Syrah that leans more toward Northern Rhône in spirit than the southern Mediterranean: savory, mineral-driven, and finely structured rather than overtly ripe or opulent.

This is a versatile food wine. It works beautifully with grilled lamb, herb-roasted pork, duck, or dishes built around mushrooms, lentils, and olive oil. The balance of freshness and earth makes it equally comfortable with rustic Mediterranean cooking or simpler weeknight fare.