Altogrado Barraco
Marsala is a Sicilian fortified wines that are produced in a zone centered on the town of Marsala on the western end of Sicily. Its roots lie deep in the 17th century. First commercialized by the British merchant John Woodhouse in 1796, he was the first wine merchants to become involved in the Marsala trade. Marsala’s golden age was during the Napoleonic wars, with most of Spain and Portugal occupied by French troops, the Marsala trade boomed. Marsala is mostly produced from four indigenous white grape varieties: Inzolia, Grillo, Catarratto and Damaschino. Red grape varieties, Nero d’Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Perricone/Pignatello, can also be used. Age wise, Marsala falls into one of five categories: Fino (fine): Aged for one year or more, with eight months in barrel. Minimum alcohol content is 17% ABV. This wine is available as an ambra, oro or rubino. Superiore (superior): Aged for between two and three years, of which two must be in barrel. Minimum a...