Strongly linked to the wine production of the city is the fine manufacturing of barrels, casks and kegs made with handcrafting methods by expert barrel makers. Oak and chestnut oak are used which are compact and with a fine grain. The staves, obtained with the cleaving technique which respects the integrity of the fibres, are matured naturally for 24 months. After a careful selection, the craftsman cleans and trims the staves which are then assembled in the first head hoop. The next stage is the toasting phase, using the ancient fire method, which requires a lot of experience as a burning brazier is put inside the base of the barrel. In keeping with the best Sicilian tradition high quality, craft made, artistic ceramics which are finely decorated by hand are produced in Marsala.
Wine production is followed by the cultivation of citrus and other fruits, which is flanked by greenhouse cultivation of vegetables and flowers and salt in the salt pans. Exquisite pastries and cakes are craft made as is pasta, following the technique of slow drying at low temperatures, to conserve the nutritional values. There is a particular type of bread with fennel seeds, called squarato because before being baked it is blanched in boiling water.
Wine production is followed by the cultivation of citrus and other fruits, which is flanked by greenhouse cultivation of vegetables and flowers and salt in the salt pans. Exquisite pastries and cakes are craft made as is pasta, following the technique of slow drying at low temperatures, to conserve the nutritional values. There is a particular type of bread with fennel seeds, called squarato because before being baked it is blanched in boiling water.
FLORIO
The extremely wealthy Florio family of ship owners and entrepreneurs from Palermo founded the cellars in 1833 and sent Marsala all over the world on ships from the company. The company, with a large internal courtyard designed Giovan Battista Basile, still keeps the original pointed arched barrels and the floor in beaten tuff and also keep over 20.000 bottles, fine and unique historical reserves.
The Baglio Florio has received eminent guests like Giuseppe Garibaldi, whose visit is commemorated on a plaque, King Vittorio Emanuele III and the writer Tomasi from Lampedusa. Among the most famous wines produced by the company is the Targa Florio, a Marsala Superiore Riserva Ambra, delicate and velvet to the palate. |
Wine industry
Numerous wine producers and cellars produce the famous Marsala DOC, from the Grillo, Catarratto, Damaschino, and Inzolia, grapes; those made from white grapes include Pignatello Calabrese, and those made from black grapes include Nero d’Avola and Nerello Mascalese. The maturation happens in oak barrels, for a variable number of years from a minimum of one to ten according to the type that is to be obtained: Fine, Superior, Virgin.
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