Ostinato Fine Ambra Marsala Secco, Sicily, Italy

A return to Marsala’s traditional roots, Ostinato Fine Ambra Secco is crafted with patience, balance, and integrity. Made from late-harvest, low-yielding old vines of Grillo, Inzolia, and Catarratto, this dry Marsala captures the essence of the terroir through its “alto grado” base wine—naturally higher in alcohol and therefore less reliant on fortification. Extended aging beyond the minimum Fine requirements brings depth and vinous complexity, making this a Marsala that bridges tradition with renewed elegance.

Product Details:

• Grapes: Grillo, Inzolia, Catarratto (old vines, low-yielding, late-harvest)
• ABV: 17%
• Production Method: Skin maceration; “alto grado” base wine; extended aging in Slavonian and American oak barrels
• Winemaker: Ercole Alagna
• Farming: Organically farmed, unirrigated vineyards
• Vineyard Holdings: Nearly 50 hectares across Marsala, Marzara, and Salemi communes

Sensory Description:

Ostinato Fine Ambra Secco is amber in hue with luminous golden highlights. The nose reveals layers of grilled apricot, tamarind, candied orange peel, and roasted almond, uplifted by notes of cinnamon, tobacco, and sea salt. On the palate, it is structured yet vibrant, carrying flavors of dried fruit, white chocolate, and subtle vanilla. The finish lingers with a savory, saline edge, reflecting both the limestone soils of Marsala and the influence of the warm Scirocco winds.

Winemaker's Background:

Baglio Baita Alagna, founded in the 1940s by Giuseppe Alagna, remains one of the few Marsala houses that farms and produces from its estate vineyards. Today, third-generation winemaker Ercole Alagna continues this legacy, crafting Marsalas that revive historical methods and flavors often abandoned in the appellation. The winery’s subterranean medieval grottos, extending nearly 35 meters below street level, house the barrels where Grillo, Inzolia, and Catarratto wines mature, shaped by Sicily’s coastal climate and artisanal tradition. Ostinato is a collaboration with Sotolon Selections, designed to showcase Marsala’s authentic heritage.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve slightly chilled, between 59–64 °F, in small pours of 2–3 oz. This versatile Marsala excels at the table: pair it with dry-cured meats, Pecorino, Taleggio, or Robiola cheeses. It is also a brilliant partner for veal or chicken Marsala, saltimbocca, or sautéed mushrooms. Beyond food, it shines in cocktails, try it 1:1 with Hayman’s London Dry Gin, or use it to enrich classics. Once opened, it keeps for 4–6 months, retaining freshness and depth.

This Marsala is both a nod to history and an invitation to rediscover what made Sicily’s fortified wine one of the world’s most compelling styles. With its authenticity, balance, and complexity, Ostinato Fine Ambra Secco elevates both the glass and the kitchen, reaffirming Marsala’s place among the great fortified wines.