Marsala

Cantine Pellegrino of Marsala dedicates its BIP Benjamin Marsala Superiore Riserva Oro Dolce to the British merchant Benjamin Ingham, who played a key role in the global spread of Marsala. This Riserva comes from the westernmost part of Sicily and is made from the classic grape varieties Grillo, Catarratto, and Inzolia – a sweet Marsala with great aromatic expression. The grapes are harvested in mid-September at advanced ripeness. After fermentation, the wine is fortified with brandy aged for at least five years. It then matures for 48 months in large oak casks, followed by further refinement in small barriques – the result is a harmonious, rich, and complex dessert wine. In the glass, it shines a golden yellow with an amber hue. The nose is intense, with aromas of melon, honey, and delicate notes of dried fruit. On the palate, it is sweet, full, and lingering with notes of ripe apricot and baked pear. Served at 12-14°C, it goes perfectly with blue cheese, dried fruit or classic Sicilian pastries.

In 1773, a wealthy Liverpool businessman named John Woodhouse landed by chance on the Marsala coast of Sicily and was the first to produce Marsala by adding alcohol to the local wine. This led to the creation of Marsala wines, which he then shipped to the United Kingdom, the main market to this day. The inland regions of Marsala and Mazara del Vallo enjoy a Mediterranean climate: mild winters, little rain, and very hot and windy summers. The white grape varieties Grillo, Catarratto, and Inzolia, used for this Marsala, grow there and are harvested from mid-September onwards, just before they are fully ripe. Cantine Pellegrino Marsala Old John Superiore Riserva Ambra Semisecco is aged for four years in selected oak barrels, followed by a six-month finish in barriques. The "Ambra" designation refers to its brownish amber color. The nose detects lovely notes of apricots and carob with delicate aromas of thyme and black pepper. On the palate, it is full-bodied and warm with notes of apricots and candied fruit. Marsala Old John is a good accompaniment to all Sicilian pastries made with ricotta and pastry creams.

Marsala Superiore Riserva Garibaldi Sweet is the ideal dessert wine, with beautiful sweet notes. It is made from the Grillo, Catarratto, and Inzolia grape varieties, grown on a mix of sandy, calcareous, and clay soils in the province of Trapani, in the Marsala and Mazara del Vallo region of Sicily, just a few meters above sea level. The wonderful Mediterranean climate, with its mild winters, little rain, and very hot and windy summers, also positively influences the grapes' growth. Marsala Superiore Garibaldi Sweet matures for at least two years in selected French oak barrels. It displays an intense amber color. The nose is intense and persistent, with pleasant aromas of dried figs and hints of plums. On the palate, it offers a wonderfully rounded, sweet taste with delightful honey notes and a touch of dried fig. This exceptional dessert wine is ideally served at 12 to 14°C.

The Cantine Pellegrino winery, headquartered in Marsala, Sicily, was founded in 1880. Still family-owned today, it owns approximately 150 hectares of vineyards. This excellent, medium-dry Marsala Superiore Riserva 1985 Semisecco is made from the Grillo and Catarratto grape varieties, which grow in the Marsala and Mazara del Vallo regions on clay soils at altitudes of up to 100 meters above sea level. The wonderful Mediterranean climate—mild winters, little rain, and very hot and windy summers—is perfect for grape growth. Harvest time is just before full ripeness, starting in mid-September. The fermentation of the grapes is stopped by the addition of the finest brandy and then enriched with cooked grape must. This Marsala matures for four years in selected oak barrels, finishing with at least six months in barriques. Its color is an intense gold with amber highlights. Intense aromas of honey, orange, vanilla, and candied fruit on the nose. A soft and delicate flavor profile on the palate. Ideal as a dessert wine with cheese or as an aperitif.

The Genesi Riserva Rubino is a limited edition from Pellegrino, conceived as a tribute to the 140th anniversary of this traditional Sicilian winery. Made from the indigenous Nero d'Avola grape, this Marsala Superiore unites past and present in an expressive fortified wine with a rich heritage and soul. Fermentation follows the classic method, with alcoholic fermentation stopped early and the wine enriched with a distillate aged for at least five years. The wine then matures for several years in French oak barrels in the historic cellars of Marsala. The combination of grape variety, barrel, and aging lends it depth, structure, and elegance. In the glass, the Genesi displays a deep ruby ​​red color. The nose reveals sweet, fruity aromas of wild berries, currants, juicy Morello cherries, and delicate herbs. On the palate, it is full, sweet, round, and complex – a true delight. Served at 12-14°C, this Marsala is ideal with dark chocolate, mature cheese, or as a special soloist for festive occasions.

This Marsala is dedicated to the English businessman Joseph, who joined his uncle Benjamin in Marsala, Sicily, in 1819 to produce Marsala wines and distribute them worldwide thanks to his impressive fleet of sailing ships. The clay soils of the Marsala and Mazara del Vallo region, situated just a few meters above sea level, with a Mediterranean climate (mild winters, little rain, and very hot and windy summers), offer ideal conditions for cultivating the Nero d'Avola grape variety. The grapes are harvested from mid-September onwards, just before they reach full ripeness, and then undergo cold maceration. The fermentation process is partially interrupted by the addition of brandy aged for approximately five years in oak barrels. Cantine Pellegrino Marsala Uncle Joseph Superiore Rubino Dolce then matures for two years in selected Allier oak barrels, resulting in a deep ruby-red color. Extremely fruity on the nose, with notes of black cherries, pomegranates, and plums. Sweet on the palate, with distinct notes of red berries, cherries, marasca cherries, and pomegranates. Pairs wonderfully with dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content.

The Marsala Vergine Riserva 2000 from Cantine Pellegrino is a mature fortified wine from the heart of Sicily that impressively showcases the potential of the classic Marsala style. Made from the indigenous grape varieties Grillo, Catarratto, and Inzolia, it originates from the clay and limestone soils of the inland region around Marsala, where hot summers and mild winters create ideal growing conditions. The grapes are harvested at advanced ripeness in mid-September, fermented at a temperature-controlled 20-22°C, and then fortified with grape distillate. The wine then matures for over ten years in large oak barrels with a volume of 50 to 80 hectoliters – entirely without the addition of sweeteners. This results in a Marsala in its purest form. In the glass, it displays a deep gold color with an amber shimmer. On the nose, it unfolds spicy notes, dried fruit, and a touch of oxidative elegance. Dry on the palate, with hints of almonds, balsamic notes, herbs, and a fine, lingering finish. A characterful digestif that pairs perfectly with almond pastries, aged cheese, smoked tuna, or spicy jam.

For seven generations, the Cantine Pellegrino winery has been closely associated with Marsala and is considered one of the oldest wine dynasties in Sicily. This excellent, dry Cantine Pellegrino Marsala Vergine Riserva 2001 Single Barrel No. 167 is made from the Grillo, Catarratto, and Inzolia grape varieties, which grow in light clay soils in the Marsala region, at altitudes of 100 to 200 meters above sea level, in the magnificent Mediterranean climate. The grapes are harvested from mid-September onwards, just before they reach full ripeness. After fermentation, pure brandy is added until the optimal strength is reached. The Marsala then matures for 15 long years in a single 20-hectoliter oak barrel to develop its impressive flavor profile. It has a beautiful mahogany color with amber highlights. The nose opens with an intense bouquet of aromas, including hints of wood, spicy notes of cloves and cinnamon, and subtle nuances of citrus peel, plums, and cocoa. On the palate, remarkable juiciness and acidity are revealed; warm and balsamic, with strong flavors of wood and licorice and light notes of cocoa. Pairs well with dry pastries.

Since 1880, the Pellegrino family has shaped the history of the famous Marsala wine. In their historic cellars in the city of Marsala, over a thousand oak barrels mature for years, aging various Marsala styles. With their Marsala Vergine Soleras, the house showcases its expertise: a dry, powerful fortified wine aged for five years in large oak barrels using the traditional Solera method – complex, elegant, and full of character. Made from the typical grape varieties Grillo, Catarratto, and Inzolia, the grapes come from the best vineyards in the sun-drenched hinterland of Sicily. The late harvest, controlled fermentation, and careful enrichment with grape spirit ensure a deep, complex spectrum of aromas. On the nose, intense spice notes, roasted almonds, hazelnuts, and pine nuts unfold. On the palate, the wine is dry and fresh, with a salty minerality, nutty notes, and a long, spicy finish. Whether paired with pastries, aged hard cheeses, or even oysters, this Marsala is an ambassador of true Sicilian wine culture.