what is marsala

Marsala is a fortified wine produced in the region surrounding the Italian city of Marsala in Sicily. It can be dry or sweet and is made with local white grape varietals including Grillo, Inzolia, Catarratto, and Damaschino, although it can also be blended with red grapes. Marsala wine is supplemented with brandy, which makes it higher in alcohol than most wine. Marsala is most commonly used in cooking to create nutty, rich caramelized sauces, and is frequently used in Italian restaurants in the United States. Dry Marsala wine is used in savory cooking, while sweet Marsala wine is used to produce rich Italian desserts such as zabaione and shortcake. Marsala is also used in some risotto recipes. The wine is split up into different styles based on the type of grapes used (white or mostly red) and the winemaking method. Marsala wine has a unique taste due to the use of only Sicilian indigenous grapes and a complex winemaking process.