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.
No products found
Kershaw Chardonnay Deconstructed Lake District Bokkeveld Shale CY95 is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
The inspiration for this Chardonnay stems from my belief that the Elgin region has both a signature grape as well as particular terroirs within its demarcated boundary that reflect regional credentials. This Chardonnay was selected from a sub-region of Elgin from a specific vineyard and an individual clone.
Tasting Notes: Sourced from a parcel in the Western part of Elgin the 95 clone is known for its excellent quality creating wines that are aromatic, fuller bodied and rich yet tightly structured, well–balanced with length of flavor, managing to show restraint and mouth-watering passivity with a great line through the palate and fruit veering towards white peach flesh and nectarine. On Bokkeveld Shales it brings amplified perfume on the nose and persistence and elegance to the palate.
Winemaking:
Grapes were hand-picked in the early autumnal mornings, placed into small lug baskets and tipped directly into a press before being gently whole-bunch pressed up to a maximum of 0.6 bar or until a low juice recovery of 580 liters per ton was obtained. The juice gravity-flowed directly to barrel (no pumps were used at all) without settling. The unclarified juice had no enzymes or yeast added to it and therefore underwent spontaneous fermentation until dry, with malolactic discouraged. The wine rested in barrel for 4 months prior to judicious sulfuring and a further 7 months’ maturation in barrel before racking and bottling.
Review:
"Minerals and a hint of flint on the nose. The expressive minerality of this wine also shows on the palate with complementary light stone fruit notes. Aged in 50% new 228L oak aging for 11 months."
- International Wine Review (Richard Kershaw Lifts Elgin To New Heights, February 2019), 95 pts
Turley Kirschenmann Vineyard Zinfandel is made from 100 percent Zinfandel.
Organically farmed, own-rooted, head-trained and dry-farmed vines planted in 1915 in the silica-rich sandy soils of the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA. Marking the 10th vintage of this wine, bright ripe red fruits, raspberry preserves, and white pepper burst forth from the glass. Precise on the palate like a perfectly seasoned piece of meat, with more red berries and a sumptuously complex texture.
Review: