Profile

Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninlow
Aciditymedium
Sweetnessmedium sweet
Oakbarrel aged

Drinking window

Best 5 to 25 years from vintage.

vintage5 yrs25 yrs27 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating above is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedLow tanninMedium acidityMedium SweetLong, Rich, Oxidative finish

Aroma: caramelised orange, dried raisin, coffee, hazelnut

Palate: dried fig, roasted almond, caramel, tobacco

The Targa Riserva 1840 is Florio's ambassador wine: a Marsala Superiore Riserva of medium-sweet richness, aged 5-plus years in the historic cellars, balancing caramelised dried-fruit complexity with the freshness of Grillo.

What it pairs with

  • Cannoli siciliani The wine's caramel-raisin sweetness and almond notes are the definitive match for Sicily's most famous dessert.More wines for dessert →
  • Cassata siciliana Florio Marsala is traditionally used in cassata itself; drinking it alongside the cake completes the pairing.
  • Almonds, figs and fresh dates The wine's dried-fruit and nut notes are a natural companion for Sicilian dried fruits and nuts.More wines for dessert →

With cheese

Pecorino Siciliano Our pick A long-aged, medium-sweet Marsala Riserva, with nutty, dried fig and orange notes, balances the salt and heat of an aged ewe's milk pecorino, and its nutty depth echoes the cheese's slow ripening.

How to serve Florio Targa Riserva 1840

Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
  2. Serve at 12-14°C. Cellar temperature (12-14°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a small fortified-wine glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Cannoli siciliani, Cassata siciliana, Almonds, figs and fresh dates. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

The Targa Riserva 1840 was created to commemorate the year the Florio tuff-stone cellars were completed - the reference '1840' appears on the label. It is Florio's most widely distributed and internationally recognised Marsala wine, winning the Targa (award) at successive international wine competitions and becoming the modern standard for Marsala Superiore Riserva.

  1. 1987First Targa Riserva 1840 vintage; created as Florio's international-market ambassador wine

Facts

Producer
Cantine Florio · visiting guide
Grapes
Grillo
Classification
Marsala Superiore Riserva DOC
Oak
Minimum 5 years in large Slavonian oak barrels
ABV
18.5%
Price
€20-35 at retail
Drinking window
5-25+ from vintage
First vintage
1987

Frequently asked about Florio Targa Riserva 1840

What does Florio Targa Riserva 1840 taste like?

On the nose, caramelised orange, dried raisin, coffee, hazelnut. On the palate, dried fig, roasted almond, caramel, tobacco. Structurally full-bodied, low tannins, medium acidity with a long, rich, oxidative finish. The Targa Riserva 1840 is Florio's ambassador wine: a Marsala Superiore Riserva of medium-sweet richness, aged 5-plus years in the historic cellars, balancing caramelised dried-fruit complexity with the freshness of Grillo.

When should I drink Florio Targa Riserva 1840?

Drink 5-25+ from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Florio Targa Riserva 1840?

Cannoli siciliani is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Cassata siciliana and Almonds, figs and fresh dates. The wine's caramel-raisin sweetness and almond notes are the definitive match for Sicily's most famous dessert.

What grapes are in Florio Targa Riserva 1840?

The blend is Grillo. The wine is classified as Marsala Superiore Riserva DOC.

Tags

cellar worthy fortified marsala full body grillo iconic medium acid medium sweet mood contemplative mood festive occasion gift occasion special old world pairs with chocolate pairs with digestif pairs with fruit desserts price trade up

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