Marcalla Label, 1817

This is an extremely rare silver wine label engraved with the name "Marcalla" to the central field. It is most likely a misspellling of Marsala. MAde by the specialist bottle ticket maker, John Reily, this is a handsome label with a bold gadroon border in the Regency taste. It is in fine condition with clear hallmarks.

Marsala is a dry or sweet wine, produced in the region surrounding the Italian city of Marsala in Sicily. While the city's natives sometimes drink "vintage" Marsala, the wine produced for export is universally fortified similar to Port, Madeira and Sherry. Originally, this addition of alcohol was to ensure that it would last on long ocean voyages, but now it is made that way because of its popularity in foreign markets.