Marsala Vigna Miccia Oro, Marco de Bartoli, Western Sicily 2018 (50cl)

Marco de Bartoli, Western Sicily (Organic)      

Marco De Bartoli was considered one of Sicily’s winemaking pioneers for his long-standing commitment to the native Sicilian white grape varieties, Grillo and Zibibbo. He has been succeeded by his sons, who have carried on the tradition of producing wines from two separate estates: the first in Marsala, in Sicily’s south-west corner, the other on the small island of Pantelleria, south-east of Sicily. The belief in the value of traditional methods of production of these grapes and the wines is complemented by an equally strong belief in the future of Sicily as one of Europe’s most vital viticultural areas. Grillo, which historically forms the basis of Marsala’s classic wines, has been grown on the island since Phoenician times. From the Samperi winery, in the Contrada Samperi just west of Marsala, Marco De Bartoli produces several wines from this grape. Like so many of our producers de Bartoli are trying to rediscover the natural flavour of wine using native yeasts and low sulphur during the vinification. Out of this ambition was born the Integer wines. One’s initial impression is of the uncompromising purity of the wine in the mouth – no corners have been cut, no corners of the palate will remain unchallenged by the wine.

The De Bartoli family created this extraordinary marsala to blend traditional farming methods with innovating winemaking to create a subtle, elegant expression of Oro, Marsala’s classification for opulent, fortified Grillo grapes that achieve a rich golden color with age. Using a cold, natural vinification to preserve the freshness and aromatics of the grapes, “Miccia” then undergoes in perpetuum, Sicily’s answer to the solera method, where French oak barrels full of Grillo are topped off with fortified wine from previous vintages for up to five years to avoid oxidation. Fragrant with citrus notes, vanilla and crushed nuts, it remains restrained and nuanced on the palate through a long, creamy, dry finish. Try it with shellfish, squash-filled raviolis, or blue cheese.

Grape: 100% Grillo

Organic