Donnafugata Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria DOC 2022
Donnafugata
Ben Ryé is Italy's most celebrated passito, made from Zibibbo grapes sun-dried on the wind-blasted volcanic island of Pantelleria. The heat of the African-influenced climate concentrates sugars, but Donnafugata's meticulous winemaking preserves acidity and freshness. A dessert wine that transcends the category.
Nose
Intense apricot and candied orange peel open dramatically, layered with honey, dried fig, and a distinctive floral sweetness. A mineral edge and whiff of sea salt add complexity beneath the fruit.
Palate
Luscious and concentrated, with waves of honey, ripe stone fruit, and marzipan. Despite the sweetness, vibrant acidity keeps everything in balance. Citrus marmalade and toasted almond emerge on the mid-palate, with a subtle herbal note of Mediterranean scrub.
Finish
Very long, with lingering honey, dried apricot, and a clean mineral salinity that lifts the sweetness.
- Varietal
- Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria)
- Blend
- 100% Zibibbo
- Vineyards
- Estate vineyards on Pantelleria, volcanic soils, alberello bush training
- Alcohol
- 14.5%
- Organic / Biodynamic
- No
- Skin Contact
- No
Food Pairing
Freshly filled cannoli with sheep's milk ricotta, candied orange peel, and a dusting of powdered sugar. The wine's honeyed apricot and citrus marmalade notes wrap around the ricotta's creaminess, while its acidity cleanses the palate between bites.
The Rallo family of Donnafugata farms Zibibbo vines trained in traditional alberello bushes on the volcanic island of Pantelleria, halfway between Sicily and Tunisia, where relentless wind and sun produce one of the Mediterranean's most extraordinary dessert wines.
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