About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The wine comes from 2 ha in Contrada Samperi, Marsala, in western Sicily. The flat vineyard has medium-textured calcareous-sandy soil. Vines were 20–42 years old and trained on Guyot vertical trellises at 3,500 plants per hectare. Yield was 25 hl/ha.
Grapes
100% Grillo.
Vinification
The grapes were picked manually in small crates during the last ten days of September. Following manual selection, natural sedimentation preceded traditional fermentation in oak and chestnut barrels at ambient temperature. A portion of the must was enriched with grape spirit to make the mistelle subsequently added to the wine.
Ageing
The technical specification is 14 years in oak barrels of various sizes. The historical narrative describes more than 15 years in oak and chestnut barrels.
Technical data
Marsala Superiore Oro Riserva DOC, semi-dry. Alcohol: 18.5% vol.; the product page gives 18% vol. Residual sugar: 52 g/l. Total acidity: 7.13 g/l. Total SO₂: 32 mg/l. Production: 4,050 bottles.
Tasting profile
A complex Marsala whose natural mistelle brings depth without excess. Extended barrel maturation develops further nuances over time.
Serving and pairing
Serve at room temperature or slightly cool, ideally 14–16 °C. Pair with desserts, blue cheeses, mustard preserves or jam.
Label / history
Marco De Bartoli began producing his interpretation of Marsala Superiore in 1986. It follows the area’s historical tradition and is fortified with mistelle made from fresh must and grape spirit obtained from the same grapes as the base wine.
