Vines planted in 1982, 1992, 1995. Hand harvested (yields usually around 40 hl/ha), Natural fermentation, low doses of sulfur, cement cuve, no wood. Long fermentations, then wines are aged for 6 to 8 months on fine lees. Wines complete malolactic fermentation. Most vintages are bottled unfiltered. There is also a small parcel of Muscat à Petits Grains that goes into the Muscat du Cap Corse cuvée. It is a low-yielding parcel, which is then fortifies with Corsican grappa, as tradition and A.O.C. rules require. His Muscat is never over the top nor syrupy but is always floral and delicate. The Arenas also produce a small quantity of unfortified Muscat that is mostly consumed locally.
This wine is pungently redolent of sage, orange blossom, and candied lemon rind. Subtly oil and creamy, its piquancy almost manages to be a match for its sheer sweetness, and it finishes – in its confectionary, honeyed, bittersweet way – with far greater persistence than most French wines of its genre.