Marsala Blend

Marsala blend is one of the most popular and famous types of fortified wine in Italy. The wine is named after the city of Marsala, which sat on the shores of ancient Sicily. Marsala blend fortified wines have a higher alcohol content compared with Madeira or Sherry fortified wines. Marsala wine is used in cooking and is also available both sweet and dry. The British discovered the Marsala blend while in the region during the 1800s. Like their discovery for Port wine in Portugal, the British noted that the winemaking strategy included adding grape brandy to regular wines. The method allowed the wine to sit through long voyages without spoiling. Since the Marsala blend is made from a variety of native white grapes, these grapes give the wine a signature taste and color. Marsala blend wine typically uses the Catarratto , Inzolia, or Grillo grape varieties. The fermentation process of Marsala blend wine is stopped with grape brandy when the winemaker determines the level of sweetness. The color, alcohol content, taste and style of the wine, and the age allow for classification of Marsala wine. These wines vary from amber to gold colors to ruby colored wines, depending on the grapes used in the process.