Ostinato Marsala Fine Ambra Secco
Ostinato Marsala Fine Ambra Secco is a dry Sicilian fortified wine at 17% ABV in a 500mL bottle — Grillo, Inzolia, and Catarratto from old vines around Marsala, aged more than two years in oak by the Alagna family of Baglio Baita Alagna — available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 17% vol (importer tech sheet + retailers)
- Size: 500mL
- Grapes: Grillo, Inzolia, Catarratto — late-harvest, low-yielding old vines; high-grade "alto grado" base wine
- Aging: more than 2 years in Slavonian and American oak without temperature control or topping up (Fine grade requires 1 year minimum)
- Grade: Marsala Fine Ambra Secco — secco = up to 40 g/L residual sugar
- Origin: Baglio Baita Alagna, Marsala/Marzara/Salemi communes, Sicily, Italy — a decade-long Sotolon Selections collaboration; imported by Haus Alpenz
Dry Marsala, Taken Seriously
Ostinato is Sotolon Selections' decade-long collaboration with the Alagna family of Baglio Baita Alagna — a Sicilian estate founded in the early 1940s, now run by third-generation winemaker Ercole Alagna on some 50 organically farmed hectares over medieval grottos. The base wine is "alto grado" — naturally high in alcohol from late-harvest old vines — so less fortifying spirit is needed, and the aging runs more than two years in oak, double the Fine-grade minimum. The result is the argument for dry Marsala as a fine wine in its own right. Browse the Ostinato range, or explore the store's fortified wines.
Tasting Notes
Dried apricot and toasted hazelnut over orange peel and sweet tobacco, with a saline, savory undertow. Dry, structured, and long — the extended oak aging shows in every sip.
How to Enjoy
The importer recommends dry-cured meats and cheeses (Robiola, Taleggio, Pecorino), a 1:1 mix with dry gin as a cocktail, and cooking — chicken Marsala, sautéed mushrooms, pork loin, roast game. Keeps up to 6 months once opened.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Ostinato different from supermarket Marsala?
Old-vine fruit, a naturally high-alcohol base wine, and more than two years in oak — double the Fine-grade minimum — from a family estate rather than an industrial producer.
Is it sweet?
No — this is the secco (dry) grade, up to 40 g/L residual sugar, and it drinks savory and nutty.
What is the ABV?
17% per the importer's tech sheet and multiple retailers.
How long does it keep after opening?
Up to 6 months, per the importer — fortified wines are forgiving.
Dry Marsala done right: order Ostinato Marsala Fine Ambra Secco online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.