In between tasting some rich cheeses selected by Murray Hill restaurant Artisanal and alternating between slurps of freshly shucked Gold Creek and Barnstable oysters, we spent a good amount of time being awestruck on Wednesday night by an array of wines from a part of the world that we’ve never had the pleasure of tasting previously. “BEING” is a four day exhibition hosted at Mulberry Street’s Openhouse Gallery that is one part artistic showcase and one part wine tasting that serves to highlight both the beauty and the culture of the island of Corsica. The French island, located in the Mediterranean Sea is largely unknown to most of us- but the purpose of “BEING” is to bring some exposure to a part of the world that deserves some recognition for its unparalleled settings and its tremendous conditions for growing grapes. For just $30, guests were treated to just that on the exhibition’s very first night.

To further experience the island’s picturesque atmosphere and the community of its people, selected art pieces from photographer Aaron Zebrook and painter Gabriela Bravo Clavello were displayed around each of the gallery’s main rooms. Each was chosen to travel around Corsica to utilize their surroundings as inspiration- and the resulting works on hand played as a perfect backdrop for sipping on some of the evening’s finest wines. With spring fast approaching, it’s particularly fitting that rose makes up some 60% of the wines made in Corsica. And fortunately, we tasted some really exquisite styles during the course of the three hour event.

Of the more than sixty wines being poured around the room, there were several standouts. First, Domaine d’Alzipratu’s array of three “Pumonte” wines- “Rouge, Blanc and Rose”- proved to be some of our earliest tastings- and the “Rose” was our favorite varietal of the entire night. Made with 100% sciaccarellu grapes, which are normally blended, the 2014 “Pumonte Rose” was exactly what you’d hope for from the pink seasonal wine- crisp and refreshing without being too sweet or overly fruity. Unfortunately, the winery is looking for a local distributor so its availability locally is non-existent. But in taste and at an utterly affordable price, this one’s a winner that we’ll be seeking out once it hits New York area wine stores. We also indulged in repeat pours from Domaine Torraccia’s 2014 “Porto Vecchio Rose,” a four grape blend (predominantly niellucciu) that was aromatically floral and yielded a juicy texture followed by a nice clean finish.

Roses aside, we were supremely impressed by the wines of Clos Teddi whose 2014 “Grande Cuvee Blanc” was richly flavorful and Clos Venturi’s “Venturi Red” 2013, a nice table wine that would pair brilliantly with any dish from poultry to fish to pork. As the evening wore on, the crowd seemed to really revel in the festivities with many donning ‘Vins de Corse’ fedoras as they continued to grab at the slices of cured meats and assorted flatbreads around the room. Fortunately for New Yorkers, the opening reception was simply the kickoff to a multiple night affair and tickets remain available for the exhibition over the next three nights. Grab your tickets now to taste some exceptional wines, peruse some artwork, eat some light fare and enjoy the festivities that Corsica has to offer, right here in Manhattan.

- Jane Van Arsdale