Florio Marsala Superiore Riserva Semisecco 2015 (750ml)

Producer's Notes

The Duca di Salaparuta Group, gathered together by the Reina family, consists of three historic wine brands (Duca di Salaparuta, Corvo, and Florio) and today constitutes the largest private wine group in Sicily. Founded in 1833 by Vincenzo Florio, the Florio Winery in Marsala looks out towards the bright sea of western, or 'occidental,' Sicily. Made from the Trapani area, Grillo is a vine rich in history with characteristics that have given it the lead role in Marsala production. Marsala has been produced for more than 200 years, a famous Italian fortified wine named after the Sicilian city it belongs to. The birth of Marsala dates back to the late 1700s when John Woodhouse, a famous English merchant, arrived on the island and was 'conquered' by wine, bringing back 60 casks. To keep the wine good over the course of his journey, he added brandy, and thus, Marsala was born. A consequence of the Continental Blockade in 1807, an embargo against British trade by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Marsala trade gained favor, and many English traders landed in Sicily to produce the famous wine. Vincenzo Florio himself founded his cellar in 1833, which over the years has become a predominant reference for the production of Marsala. Currently, the Florio cellars house around 80% of Italy's production of the real Marsala, the basis of which starts almost exclusively from the Grillo grape. In the Trapani area, located on the coastline of western Sicily, are vineyards set in the sunny countryside chosen for their hillside position near the sea. After careful selection of the bunches in the field, the grapes arrive in the cellar where they are fermented in concrete tanks. At the end of fermentation, the fortification — or as Florio calls it, the 'falling in love' — between alcohol and wine takes place. Using micro-oxygenation techniques, The Florio Winery contains varied kinds of oak that add personality and color to the maturing Marsala. Unexpected and original, it’s space, time, and oxygen that breathe life into the rich complexity of Florio wines. CULTIVATION Bush-trained in the typical 'alberello marsalese' method and/or low espalier trained, with a density of at least 4,000 plants per hectare. Manual harvest, starting in mid September, of over-ripened grapes that are left on the vine so that they become fully ripe and high in residual sugars and polyphenols. VINIFICATION Powerful extraction forces come into play through the use of the traditional wine press to create musts loaded with color, high dry extracts, and intense savory marine notes. Fermentation in cement, marked by continuous micro-oxygenation, which carries on even after fermentation. AGING Aged for six years in barriques. TASTING NOTES:The palate is excited by a velvety tannin with notes of raisins, candied fruit, and lightly roasted coffee.', 'A subtle nutty character with notes of dates, dried persimmons, amaretto and spices. Polished and linear palate with moderate sweetness and refreshing acidity. Some yeasty undertones and a hint of oxidation, but in a good way. Lingering finish. Matured in oak casks for seven years. Drink or hold.