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Marsala Fine Italia Particolare DOC semisecco
This Fine is made from white grapes and was aged for one year in wooden barrels. It is elegant with a beautiful bouquet and a fine medium sweetness. Strong character of vanilla and roasted almonds, intensely persistent, velvety and soft with a full flavour. A dessert wine that is furthermore indispensable for Italian cuisine. SUPERIORE.DE
read more- Grape Variety: Grillo, Catarratto and Inzolia
- Cultivation: close to nature
- Expansion: 12 months wooden barrel
- Filtration: yes
- Alcohol content: 17,00 % vol
- Serving temperature: 16‑18 °C
- Storage potential: 2026+
- Closure: Screw cap
- Total acidity: 4,80 g/l
- Residual sugar: 53,00 g/l
- Allergens
contains sulphites
stored air-conditioned35000004 · 0,75 l · 13,20 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately
Marsala Fine DOC rubino dolce
The fermentation of this fine Marsala is interrupted by the enrichment with brandy aged for at least 5 years in oak barrels. Intense ruby red. Very fruity bouquet of black cherry, pomegranate and plum. In the long, full taste sweet with present red fruit, cherry and again pomegranate. SUPERIORE.DE
read more- Grape Variety: 100% Nero d'Avola
- Cultivation: close to nature
- Expansion: 12 months large oak barrel
- Filtration: yes
- Alcohol content: 18,00 % vol
- Serving temperature: 12‑14 °C
- Storage potential: 2027+
- Closure: twist lock
- Food recommendations
dark chocolate, mulberry jam - Total acidity: 5,17 g/l
- Residual sugar: 138,00 g/l
- Allergens
contains sulphites
stored air-conditioned35000006 · 0,75 l · 14,53 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately
Marsala Superiore “Old Marsala” DOC secco
Light amber. The more than 2 years maturing in oak barrels makes this Marsala very balanced, in the bouquet the typical Marsala aromas are rounded off by a fine oak spice. On the palate rather moderately dry with an enveloping aroma of black cherry and a fine nutty note. The classic for dessert. SUPERIORE.DE
read more- Grape Variety: Grillo, Catarratto and Inzolia
- Cultivation: close to nature
- Expansion: 12 months wooden barrel
- Filtration: yes
- Alcohol content: 18,00 % vol
- Serving temperature: 16‑18 °C
- Storage potential: 2026+
- Closure: screw cap
- Total acidity: 4,80 g/l
- Residual sugar: 28,00 g/l
- Allergens
contains sulphites
stored air-conditioned35000031 · 0,75 l · 14,53 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately
Marsala Superiore “Garibaldi” DOC dolce
Strong amber colour. This Marsala Superiore dolce is aged for at least 2 years in oak barrels. Fine sweetness, full and rich on the palate, well integrated wood note, soft and long finish. SUPERIORE.DE
read more- Grape Variety: Grillo, Catarratto and Insolia
- Cultivation: close to nature
- Expansion: 24 months large wooden barrel
- Filtration: yes
- Alcohol content: 18,00 % vol
- Serving temperature: 12‑14 °C
- Storage potential: 2026+
- Closure: Screw cap
- Total acidity: 4,42 g/l
- Residual sugar: 112,00 g/l
- Allergens
contains sulphites
stored air-conditioned35000032 · 0,75 l · 14,53 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately
Marsala Superiore “BIP Benjamin” Riserva DOC 2013 oro dolce
The enterprising British merchant Benjamin, known as "Bip", founded a company after arriving in Sicily in 1806, which was instrumental in the rise of Marsala in the world. The fermentation of this fine Marsala is interrupted by the enrichment with brandy matured for at least 5 years in oak barrels. Intense golden yellow with amber reflections. Ethereal bouquet with notes of melon and honey. In the multi-layered taste, we find notes of dried apricots and stewed pears in addition to an appealing sweetness. SUPERIORE.DE
"There's plenty of dried-fig and papaya character in this luscious but balanced Marsala. Long, creamy finish with plenty of grapefruity freshness that leaves the palate cleaner than many fortified wines do." James Suckling
read more- Grape Variety: Grillo, Catarratto and Inzolia
- Cultivation: conventional
- Expansion: wooden barrel
- Filtration: yes
- Alcohol content: 18,00 % vol
- Serving temperature: 12‑14 °C
- Storage potential: 2029+
- Closure: natural cork
- Food recommendations
desserts with ricotta - Total extract: 31,30 g/l
- Total acidity: 5,32 g/l
- Residual sugar: 138,00 g/l
- Sulfite: 138 mg/l
- pH value: 3,25
- Allergens
contains sulphites
stored air-conditioned35000034 · 0,75 l · 26,53 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately
Marsala Superiore “Old John” Riserva DOC 1998 ambra semisecco
In 1773, a rich and resourceful merchant named John happened to land on the Marsala Coast. He was the first to produce the classic Marsala known to this day by adding brandy, refining it so that he could take it back to England without the risk of early spoilage. Intense amber colour. On the nose notes of apricot and carob, some thyme and black pepper. Full and warm on the palate with a fine apricot touch and candied fruit notes. SUPERIORE.DE
"Light amber; sea, fruit ripeness, candied, caramelised orange peel, deep, beautiful nose; not too sweet, round, bittersweet, dates, depth and extended length." Merum
"If you aren't familiar with Marsala, this medium-dry wine would be a good place to start, with intense caramelized-nut, candied-orange and bitter-chocolate character, plus a restrained touch of sweetness. The tannins in Marsala can make the aftertaste bitter, but here they really help to balance the sweetness." James Suckling
"Cantine Pellegrino is a historical producer active since 1880 that has over 150 hectares in different parts of Sicily and on the Island of Pantelleria. This Marsala is bright amber. The nose is pleasant and fresh, with straightforward notes of apricot, hints of carob and thyme. The wine is full, sweet with integrated alcohol, round and generous on the palate. It is made with Grillo, Inzolia and Catarratto, ages 48 months in oak barrels and at least six months in barrique." Decanter
read more- Grape Variety: Grillo, Catarratto and Inzolia
- Cultivation: close to nature
- Expansion: 48/6 months wooden barrel/barrique
- Filtration: yes
- Alcohol content: 18,00 % vol
- Serving temperature: 12‑14 °C
- Storage potential: 2028+
- Closure: natural cork
- Food recommendations
desserts with ricotta - Total extract: 22,60 g/l
- Total acidity: 5,32 g/l
- Residual sugar: 72,00 g/l
- Sulfite: 120 mg/l
- pH value: 3,26
- Allergens
contains sulphites
stored air-conditioned35000033 · 0,75 l · 33,33 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately
Marsala Vergine Soleras DOC dry
This intense and long-lasting Marsala matures for 5 years according to the soleras method in barrels of 50-100 hl. These lie on top of each other, as in sherry production, and the contents of the different barrels and vintages sorted by tiers are regularly blended together. In this way, the older Marsala gives the younger one its softness and maturity, while the younger portion adds freshness and fruitiness.
The result presents itself in deep gold with copper reflections. On the nose, a broad aroma of roasted hazelnuts and pine nuts mixed with pleasant notes of orange peel and honey. In the drink very round, warm and tasty, very spicy in the long finish. At a temperature of 16-18°C, it is ideal with sesame biscuits or dark chocolate. If you want to enjoy it cooler, then you should try it with fish specialities or even oysters. SUPERIORE.DE
read more- Grape Variety: Grillo, Catarratto and Inzolia
- Cultivation: close to nature
- Expansion: 5 years 50‑100 hl solera casks
- Filtration: yes
- Alcohol content: 19,00 % vol
- Serving temperature: 16‑18 °C
- Storage potential: 2030+
- Closure: natural corks
- Total extract: 27,00 g/l
- Total acidity: 5,77 g/l
- Residual sugar: 18,00 g/l
- Sulfite: 130 mg/l
- pH value: 3,37
- Allergens
contains sulphites
stored air-conditioned35000040 · 0,75 l · 41,33 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping< 24 units available
Marsala Vergine Riserva DOC 2000 ambra dry
Wonderfully matured for at least 10 years, this vintage Marsala presents itself in a deep golden hue. In the opulent aroma we find notes of dried fruits and tobacco, mixed with hints of chestnut honey. On the palate, firm, powerful, dry, with a pleasant freshness and a very harmonious, long final. Ideal as a digestif or with mature cheeses, accompanied by lemon or bitter orange marmalade. SUPERIORE.DE
"Light amber; depth, sweet biscuits, inviting; fine attack, then power, long, quite deep, fine, pleases well." Merum
read more- Grape Variety: Grillo, Catarratto and Inzolia
- Cultivation: close to nature
- Expansion: 10 years 30/80hl oak barrel
- Filtration: yes
- Alcohol content: 19,00 % vol
- Serving temperature: 12‑14 °C
- Storage potential: 2034+
- Closure: natural corks
- Total extract: 28,00 g/l
- Total acidity: 5,77 g/l
- Residual sugar: 18,00 g/l
- Sulfite: 130,00 mg/l
- pH value: 3,30
- Allergens
contains sulphites
stored air-conditioned35000041 · 0,75 l · 48,00 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping< 24 units available
Marsala Superiore Riserva DOC 1985 ambra semi secco · 0,75l in OWC
Aged in the cellars for over 25 years, this magnificent amber-style Riserva pours from the bottle with amber intensity. This rare Marsala offers tremendous intensity with a bouquet strong with maple syrup, roasted chestnuts, brown sugar, caramel, dried figs, porcini mushrooms and spicy tobacco. In the mouth, you can feel the alcohol content, but this warmth is wonderfully absorbed by the fleshy intensity and richness of the texture. This wine is a quarter of a century old, but thanks to all the ageless fruit, it hides its age very well. This is a rather atypical "wine", but one that offers a terrific insight into one of Sicily's most important wine traditions. SUPERIORE.DE
read more- Grape Variety: Grillo and Catarratto
- Cultivation: conventional
- Expansion: >12 years 50/80hl oak barrel / 6 months barrique
- Filtration: yes
- Alcohol content: 18,00 % vol
- Serving temperature: 12‑14 °C
- Storage potential: 2036+
- Closure: natural cork
- Total extract: 24,00 g/l
- Total acidity: 5,47 g/l
- Residual sugar: 58,00 g/l
- Sulfite: 110 mg/l
- pH value: 3,30
- Allergens
contains sulphites
stored air-conditioned35000042 · 0,75 l · 92,00 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping10 units available
The world of these oxidative-aged wines takes us to the Sicilian province of Trapani, Alcamo, Pantelleria and Favignana, characterised by beautiful pastel-coloured salt flats and a deep blue Mediterranean Sea. No other wine embodies the west coast of this unique island as well as the historic Vino Marsala. Its origins date back to the 18th century and a fateful incident meant that we owe the invention of one of Italy's oldest and most traditional wines not to the Sicilians themselves, but to an Englishman: John Woodhouse from Liverpool docked his merchant ship in the Sicilian port of Marsala in 1773 due to a storm. During his stopover, the English merchant enjoyed the local wine and immediately spiked the wine barrels brought on board with high-proof alcohol. This enrichment supported the shelf life of the precious drop, which had to brave the climatic conditions of his ship all the way to England. Vino Marsala, thus invented by chance, became England's new elite wine, soon pushing Spanish sherry and Portuguese Madeira out of the market.
The hills of Sicily's west coast, gently sloping down to the sea, are considered an ideal wine-growing area with their chalky subsoil and the constant sea breeze. The Marsala DOC appellation, which was created there in 1969, is one of the first designations of origin in Italy. Since then, Marsala wine has been classified according to colour, ageing time and degree of sweetness. The traditional addition of alcohol and must results in 17 to 20 percent by volume, making Marsala a fortified wine. The bright, vibrant colours are dictated by the autochthonous grape variety selection and the blending ratio. The golden-coloured Marsala Oro and the amber-coloured Marsala Ambra are made exclusively from the white grape varieties Grillo, Cataratto, Damaschino and Inzolia; Marsala Rubino owes its shimmering ruby-red colour to the red grape varieties Pignatello, Nero d'Avola, Perricone and Nerello Mascalese, as well as a maximum white grape variety share of 30 percent.
The older the wine, the higher the quality
Maturity period and enrichment classify Marsala into five quality levels: Marsala Fine, with a maturing period of one year, is always the youngest wine on the market. This simple wine has an alcohol content of 17 percent. It is followed by Marsala Superiore with a minimum age of two years and at least 18 percent alcohol. The additional designation Riserva, after at least four years of ageing, forms the third category called Marsala Superiore Riserva, also with 18 percent by volume. These first three quality levels (Fine, Superiore and Superiore Riserva) may be enriched with mosto cotto (boiled down grape must), sifone (freshly pressed must) or mistella (mixture of freshly pressed must and brandy). This usually results in sweet dessert wines, which are called semisecco with 40-100g residual sweetness per litre. Anything over 100g of residual sweetness per litre, on the other hand, is classified as dolce. That Marsala does not always have to be sweet, however, becomes clear in the two highest quality levels preferred by Sicilians: While Marsala Vergine has a minimum maturation period of five years, Marsala Vergine Riserva must even mature for at least ten years. These wines may only be enriched with neutral brandy and the alcohol content for both is at least 18 percent. Because the addition of sweet must is strictly forbidden here, these dry wines have less than 40g of residual sweetness per litre (secco). They are impressive food accompaniments that promise an authentic Sicilian taste experience with fish soups, oysters or pickled anchovies.
Oxidative aroma diversity
Each class of Marsala is aged in wooden barrels that are not filled to the brim to allow constant contact with oxygen. This oxidation process is intentional in Marsala production because it produces complex maturation aromas that give a unique, fruity-walnut pleasure. The typical saltiness is reminiscent of the vast salt flats of Sicily and is complemented by gentle acid notes. The aromatic complexity and the unique length of flavour encourage one to swirl the wine glass for hours. In order to preserve the taste of the previous years, different barrels and vintages are blended together according to the solera system. Thanks to oxidative ageing, the open bottle can be enjoyed for weeks compared to other wines. The fact that we can enjoy such unique and multifaceted Marsala wines today is not only thanks to John Woodhouse, but also to the constant commitment of quality-oriented wineries like C. Pellegrino, which have remained true to the historic wine tradition of Marsala. SUPERIORE.DE