Marsala

Global Taste Experience: Buy Marsala on xtraWine and Discover New Oenological Horizons

Journey through Time and Taste: Marsala - Your Transnational Connection to the Wine Past

In the world of fortified wines, Marsala stands out as the pinnacle Italian example, captivating connoisseurs around the globe with its cosmopolitan vocation from its earliest days. The genius of the British merchant John Woodhouse initiated this excellence, but it was the Palermitan Florio family that spread the art of winemaking internationally. Since ancient times, the coastal city to which the wine owes its name boasted a reputation for producing fermented musts of the highest quality. Even in Roman times, local winegrowers enriched their creations with cooked must. In modern times, the town's port became a crucial crossroads for British maritime trade due to its strategic location along the colonial route in the Mediterranean.

Innovation on Sip's Doorstep: The Beginning of a Multinational Wine Journey

In 1773, John Woodhouse, on board the ship 'Elizabeth', imported around fifty barrels of Sicilian white wine. Adding alcohol to raise the alcohol content and preserve the quality during the voyage, he landed in England and was immediately successful in sales. This success required a second trip to Sicily to replenish his supplies. His production was based on the purchase of intense Sicilian wines, enriched with alcohol and aged according to the Soleras Method, an iconic approach also adopted in Spain and Portugal. This process involves layered ageing in several overlapping rows of barrels, creating a pyramid of flavours. Each year, the liquid was transferred from the upper to the lower rows, culminating in a complex product obtained from different vintages, enriched with unique aromas and flavours generated by this process.

From Innovation to Global Success: Marsala at the Click of a Button

Numerous British merchants emulated Woodhouse's example, giving rise to several production houses that quickly became world-famous. In 1833, Palermo entrepreneur Vincenzo Florio founded a factory that surpassed British companies in quality and quantity, even acquiring the historic Woodhouse winery. Marsala Florio continues to represent excellence in this category, testifying to the historical greatness of this wine. Local producers such as Rallo, Pellegrini and Buffa emerged along with the fame of Marsala, making their mark on the world wine scene. In 1969, Marsala was the first DOC wine recognised in Sicily, but its worldwide success led to commercial declassification and the proliferation of low-quality production. Thanks to the dedication to the land and the tradition of winemakers such as Marco De Bartoli, quality and excellence returned to centre stage.

Taste Without Borders: Choose Your Marsala on xtraWine

For lovers of traditional Sicilian wines, xtraWine offers the best bottles of Marsala, carefully selected by our sommelier, available online at bargain prices. Immerse yourself in an unique sensory experience, discovering a wide range of labels, including those made using artisanal methods, for no more than EUR 70. Take this opportunity to embrace the essence of Marsala, exploring a world of flavours, traditions and innovations that transcends national borders.