Marsala DOC

Region: Sicilia

Synopsis

Region:

Sicilia,

History: Established as a DOC in 1969

Vineyard Area: 1,462 ha / 3,611 acres (2021)

Production: 72,100 hl / 801,200 cases (5-year average)

Principal White Grape Varieties:

Ansonica, Catarratto, Damaschino, Grillo

Principal Red Grape Varieties:

Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola (Calabrese), Perricone

Styles and Wine Composition

DESSERT AND SPECIALTY WINES

Ambra (WhFoSw): Any proportions of Ansonica (locally Inzolia), Catarratto, Damaschino, and/or Grillo
Oro (WhFoSw): Any proportions of Ansonica, Catarratto, Damaschino, and/or Grillo
Rubino (RdFoSw): Minimum 70% Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola, and/or Perricone (locally Pignatello); maximum 30% Ansonica, Catarratto, Damaschino, and/or Grillo
Fine (Ambra, Oro, Rubino)
Superiore or Vecchio (Ambra, Oro, Rubino)
Superiore Riserva (Ambra, Oro, Rubino)
Vergine or Soleras (Ambra, Oro, Rubino)
Vergine Stravecchio or Riserva (Ambra, Oro, Rubino)

Significant Production Rules

Minimum alcohol level: 17.5% for Fine; 18.0% for all other styles
Residual sugar: Maximum 40 g/l (4.0%) for designation as secco; 40–100 g/l (4.0–10.0%) for designation as semisecco; minimum 100 g/l (10.0%) for designation as dolce
Aging: For Fine, minimum 1 year, including 8 months in barrel (ERD = November 1, V+1); for Superiore, minimum 2 years, including 20 months in barrel (ERD = November 1, V+2); for Superiore Riserva, minimum 4 years, including 44 months in barrel (ERD = November 1, V+4); for Vergine, minimum 5 years, including 56 months in barrel (ERD = November 1, V+5); for Vergine Stravecchio, minimum 10 years, including 116 months in barrel (ERD = November 1, V+10)

Last Disciplinare Modification:

07/12/2013

Notes:

Note: Other possible label indications include I.P. (Italia Particolare) for Marsala Fine; G.D. (Garibaldi Dolce), L.P. (Londra [London] Particolar), or S.O.M. (Superiore Old Marsala), for Marsala Superiore