The Marsala Donna Franca di Florio is a blend of different Marsalas, matured separately, and selected after a careful evaluation of the evolutionary process of all the vintages stored in the Cantine Florio. The Grillo vines in alberello grow along the coastal strip of the municipality of Petrosino: we are just slightly above sea level and the soils are not very fertile, siliceous, and rich in red earth with a shallow water table. The grapes are harvested when fully ripe, in the second and third weeks of September, pressed, macerated for about 12 hours, and fermented at a controlled temperature, then the wine obtained is supplemented with the blend: mistella, cooked must, and distilled wine. Marsala Fine and Superiore are born from the addition of alcohol (ethyl of viticultural origin or grape distillate), siphon, and sometimes cooked must, always obtained from grapes suitable for giving DOC Marsala. The blend is composed of Marsalas aged from 15 to 30 years in oak barrels, then rests for another 6 months in the bottle.

MARSALA DONNA FRANCA FLORIO: TASTING

The Marsala Superiore Riserva Donna Franca di Florio presents an enchanting amber color; on the nose, it offers an elegant complexity, with notes of chestnut honey, dates, dried apricot, candied orange peels, toasted almonds and hazelnuts, tobacco, mentholated balms, smoky hints, and minerals. The palate is saline and surprisingly fresh, in perfect balance between residual sugar and alcoholic content. A great match with nougat, but also with gorgonzola cheese.