The Bar Journal

As the global wine industry turns its attention to Vinitaly, there’s a renewed sense of appreciation for the diversity, craftsmanship, and cultural depth that define Italian wine. While the event showcases world-renowned vintages and emerging producers alike, it also offers the perfect moment to celebrate lesser-known styles that have played a vital role in Italy’s culinary and winemaking traditions, among them the distinctive and historic Marsala wine. With Vinitaly serving as a reminder that wine is more than a product, it is an expression of place, history, and creativity.

The heritage of Marsala wine in Italy

Marsala wine hails from the sun-drenched vineyards of the coastal town of Marsala in western Sicily, where the warmth of the Mediterranean sun and the gentle sea breeze shape its character. Its rise to international recognition began in the late 18th century when English merchant John Woodhouse arrived in Sicily and discovered the region’s wines. Seeing their potential, he fortified them in barrels to survive the long journey back to England, transforming a local specialty into a wine that could be shared with the world. Inspired in part by fortified styles like Port and Sherry, Marsala quickly gained popularity, becoming not only a commercial success but also a beloved staple in Italian kitchens, where it would carve out a lasting identity as both a drink to savor and an essential ingredient in the country’s culinary tradition.

Understanding the flavor profile

Marsala wine is celebrated for its complexity and warmth, offering a layered sensory experience that evolves depending on its style. It typically reveals rich notes of dried fruits such as figs and raisins, followed by deeper tones of caramel, vanilla, and toasted nuts, all complemented by subtle hints of spice like cinnamon and clove. Its smooth, slightly oxidative finish adds depth and character, creating a balanced profile where sweetness and acidity work in harmony. This versatility allows Marsala to transition effortlessly between being enjoyed on its own and being used within flavour profiles.

A key ingredient in SAVOIA Rosso Vermouth. The first ever Vino Aperitivo, based on Marsala wine. 

At the heart of SAVOIA, Marsala wine plays a pivotal role. Carefully blended with other botanicals and fortified wines, Marsala adds rich layers of dried fruit, caramel, and subtle spices, enhancing the aromatic complexity of the vermouth. Its slightly sweet, nuanced character balances the bitter and herbal notes, creating a harmonious aperitivo that is both sophisticated and approachable. By incorporating this historic Sicilian wine, SAVOIA not only celebrates Italy’s winemaking heritage but also transforms it into a modern, versatile aperitivo that carries history, flavor, and craftsmanship in every glass.

Vinitaly: a celebration of all wine categories

Vinitaly is not only about showcasing prestigious labels but also about celebrating the full spectrum of wine in all its forms, highlighting the wealth of Italian winemaking. Within this landscape, Marsala finds its place among fortified wines, a category defined by the addition of spirits to enhance both strength and longevity. Alongside styles like Port, Sherry, and Madeira, it contributes to a broader understanding of how wine can evolve beyond traditional expectations, demonstrating that it can be appreciated in a glass, paired thoughtfully with food, or used alongside other ingredients to create a truly unique drink.

Celebrating wine across the drinks industry

Even for those not attending Vinitaly in person, the season is a celebration of Italian wine in all its diversity. It’s a moment to explore the rich variety of flavors, aromas, and styles that define Italy’s winemaking heritage and the story they tell of region, tradition, and craftsmanship. Marsala wine embodies this spirit perfectly, and in SAVOIA Vino Aperitivo, it becomes part of a modern interpretation, bringing the warmth, sweetness, and spice of Sicilian fortified wine together with aromatic botanicals to create a balanced, layered, and approachable aperitivo.

Understanding wine flavours: where SAVOIA sits on the spectrum

Thinking of wine in terms of flavor, sweetness, bitterness, acidity, and aromatic intensity, helps us appreciate the unique role each style plays in the drinks industry. SAVOIA sits beautifully on this spectrum, where the rich, spiced sweetness of Marsala wine balances herbal bitterness and subtle acidity, resulting in a vermouth that is simultaneously complex and refreshing. Visualising wines along this spectrum makes it easy to see how each has a distinct personality and use, whether enjoyed on its own, paired with food, or crafted into cocktails and aperitivo.

Expanding Perspectives on Italian Wine

In the context of Vinitaly, this flavor-focused perspective encourages a broader appreciation of Italian wine beyond traditional categories. It highlights innovation, regional identity, and centuries of craftsmanship, while celebrating versatility and creativity in the drinks industry. SAVOIA Vino Aperitivo exemplifies this approach showcasing a contemporary aperitivo that captures the aromatic depth of Italian botanicals, the complexity of Marsala wine, and the joy of discovering layered, flavorful drinks in every sip.

Try it: the Adonis

A timeless serve that lets SAVOIA Rosso Vermouth truly shine. Combine equal parts Spanish Sherry, SAVOIA Rosso Vermouth, and bitter over ice and stir until well chilled. Strain into a chilled glass, then express an orange zest over the surface and garnish with a single green olive. Elegant, balanced, and effortlessly aperitivo.

Salute!