Definition: Marsala

The main Italian dessert wine produced in the Marsala region, in north-western Sicily. This dark-coloured wine is made from an aromatic white wine, passito, which is itself made from dried grapes. Brandy and grape syrup (concentrated must) are added, and it is then aged in barrels for 2 to 5 years. Marsala is the basis of all sabayons (a liquid cream made from wine, liqueur, egg and sugar). There are many types of Marsala. They differ in colour (oro, ambra, rubino), and each colour is produced in secco, semi-secco or sweet variants (dry, semi-dry or sweet).