marsala wine - what kind of wine it is and how to use it

Marsala wine is a strong Sicilian wine. It goes well with cooking, or you can enjoy it by itself.

Marsala's taste resembles Madeira wine. Sip it in the same way as Madeira or Sherry. Just make sure the quality is good.

What Is Marsala Wine?

Marsala was the first Italian DOC-labeled wine. It has the state seal and can only be produced in the Marsala region.

Marsala wine is a blend with 15-20% alcohol. The grapes used in making it are typically Inzolia, Catarratto, Grillo, and Damaschino.

Marsala is not particularly expensive. Even good quality wines cost only around 40 dollars.

The city of Marsala, seen from the air. (Wikimedia Commons)

The taste of Marsala varies from dry to very sweet. The sweet Marsala is the most popular.

Besides being enjoyed on its own, Marsala is also very suitable for cooking. Famous recipes include Chicken Marsala and Tiramisu Cake.

Marsala is reminiscent of Madeira wine. For a more complete comparison between the two, see here.

The taste of Marsala derives not only from the local Sicilian grapes but also from the brandy. If you want to substitute Madeira for Marsala in your cooking, you can mix in a splash of brandy.

Or at least you can try.

Still, there is no substitute for Marsala's lush, rich flavor. It's one of a kind, typical only for this wine.

Marsala goes well, for example, with asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and chocolate.

When opened, Marsala will stay tasty for up to six months. Opened Marsala should be kept in the fridge to ensure its shelf life.

History of Marsala Wine

The story of Marsala wine began when British cloth merchant John Woodhouse arrived in Sicily in 1773. He came to the island in quest of the barilla plant. The plant was used in the clothing industry to make washing powder.

While in Sicily, Woodhouse fell in love with a local wine called 'vino perpetuo' - the everlasting wine. This wine was aged in barrels for decades, with new wine added to replace the old.

Woodhouse found the product marketable and began to plan it as a competitor to the Portuguese Madeira wine.

Wine barrels in Florio winery.

Woodhouse added brandy to the barrels to keep the wine from spoiling during the sea voyage. That gave Marsala wine its distinct taste. It became an instant hit.

Madeira wine was hugely popular at the time. It was used by the English navy, among others. When Madeira became scarce, Woodhouse made a contract with the navy.

And so Woodhouse began supplying fortified Marsala to the English Navy. Because of this, the production of Marsala wine became a big business in Sicily.

Soon many other English families began to do business with Marsala. That created strong trade links between England and Sicily.

Among the families was the Whitakers. They bought the island of Mozia in western Sicily, near Marsala. Before them, the island had been home to Carthaginians, among others.

The island is now open to visitors. There you can admire the ancient ruins and learn about the Whitaker family.

It is also a fine place to enjoy nature, the outdoors, and walking.

Different Types of Marsala Wine

Marsala is available in three colors: amber, ruby, and gold. Each color has its distinct flavor.

Amber-coloured Marsala (ambro) has added sweetener. Ruby-coloured Marsala (rubino) is made from red grapes, while gold-colored Marsala (oro) comes from white grapes.

Sweet Marsala is best known, but dry and semi-dry varieties are also available.

Marsala comes in four different quality categories. The categories depend on how long the wine has matured.

'Fine' is the cheapest of the grades. It has matured for at least a year and is ideal for cooking. 'Superiore' is a step up. It has aged for at least two years.

Then come 'Superiore Riserva' (4 years), 'Vergine/Soleras' (5 years), and 'Vergine/Soleras Riserva' (10 years). The 'Vergine/Soleras Stravecchio' is also aged for at least ten years.

Well-known Marsala brands include Taylor and Florio.

Taylor's Marsala wines are golden, full-bodied, and fruity. They are suitable for more sophisticated cooking or to be sipped straight from the glass.

Florio wines go back almost two centuries. It is possible to book a visit to their winery.

Cooking with Marsala Wine

Cheaper Marsala wine goes well with cooking (rating: 'Fine'). Sweeter Marsala goes well for pastries and drier for food.

The most famous dessert using Marsala wine is Tiramisu. But there are also many other desserts that you can flavor with Marsala.

The most famous main course is Chicken Marsala. It is an American-Italian recipe that uses Marsala sauce to flavor chicken and mushrooms.

You can find a recipe for Marsala chicken here.

For something lighter, you can try, for example, the creamy Marsala pasta sauce. Suitable for vegetarians too.

And you can even make cocktails with it. Marsala goes well with whisky, gin, orange juice, and even tomato juice!

How Long Does Marsala Wine Last in the Fridge?

Marsala wine can be stored for years when not opened. If opened, it lasts in the fridge for up to months.

For more info on how to store Marsala wine, check this link. There I will provide advice on how to keep your Marsala wine good as long as possible.

Conclusion

Marsala wine has been an important commercial product for hundreds of years. Its popularity has varied. Now its popularity is on the rise again.

In terms of taste, the closest comparison to Marsala is Madeira wine. Despite the similarities, the two are not identical, though. Marsala has a unique flavor you can't find anywhere else.

Marsala is an excellent wine for cooking and baking or enjoyed by itself. Or you can use it in cocktails.

For cooking, it is best to go for the cheapest brands. To enjoy it as such, you should buy the longer-aged varieties.