The Meditation Wine of the Year for Gambero Rosso's guide “Vini d'Italia 2024”
With the “Vino da Meditazione dell’Anno” (Meditation Wine of the Year) we would like to shine a spotlight on an increasingly rare nectar that takes us back to the nautical routes between Sicily and England, the Marsala wine which today struggles to carve out a commercial space for itself but which continues to fascinate us poignantly. While some virtuous Sicilian winemakers have recently brought back the pre-British style, that is without fortification with alcohol, we opted for a 2011 Marsala Vergine Riserva, from only Grillo grapes that mature for 10 years in barrel. In this Florio label, we find ourselves: with its spicy and iodine character, eclectic and surprisingly drinkable, despite its dense and viscous concentration. With due care in serving and temperature, it can inspire some of the most surprising pairings. We indulged ourselves, while rereading the drafts of the guide, between a slice of salami and a slice of pizza.
MEDITATION WINE OF THE YEAR
Score: 97/100
Marsala Vergine Riserva 2011 – Florio
Duca di Salaparuta, Corvo and Florio are the brands that represent the noblest part of the history of Sicilian wine: since 2001 they have been part of the ILLVA group, which has relaunched the two historic companies of Casteldaccia and Marsala - the area's excellent winemakers - thanks also to the acquisition of new estates in high vocation areas: Risignolo in the Trapani countryside, Vajasindi on Etna and Suormarchesa in Riesi. The Marsala Vergine Riserva '11 is sumptuous: a complex bouquet of Mediterranean scrub, dried citrus peels, spices and marine nuances that return in a beautifully harmonious, savoury, vibrant and very long palate. To be sipped calmly novel in hand or next to a friend with a talent for storytelling.
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