Citrus Fruit, Preserved Fruit, Mineral, Tropical Fruit, and Concentrated / Preserved Fruit, Smokey
BODY: Medium +
DRYNESS: Very Sweet
ACIDITY: Medium
TANNIN: Light
ALCOHOL (%):
Origin: Sicily, Italy
Grape Varietals:
Muscat of Alexandria (Zibbibo)
Winemaking:
Maturation:
Awards:
WESTERN FOOD PAIRING
Strong cheeses (blue cheese), foie gras, caramelised duck, Christmas pudding
ASIAN FOOD PAIRING
Donnafugata Ben Rye Passito is a modern take on the classic Moscato Passito. Golden colour with bright amber hues. Intense bouquet of dried apricots and acacia honey with hints of figs, raisins and candied orange peels. The aromas follow through to a luscious palate that has an extraordinary balance between freshness and sweetness.
Fun Fact: The name Ben Ryé derives from the Arabic 'Son of the Wind', after the wind which sweeps round the island of Pantelleria in Southwestern Sicily.
Ageing potential: Keep until 2031.
100% Zibibbo (Muscat de Alexandria). From vines planted in hollows in the ground on the island of Pantelleria in South-Western Sicily. The vines grow at altitudes of 20–400 metres above sea level on terraced, sandy slopes of volcanic origin. The low bush vines of Pantelleria have been described on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a 'creative and sustainable practice'. The vines are over 100 years old and are ungrafted.
Manual harvesting of grapes into crates with careful selection in the vineyard. Further selection on a vibrating table when the fruit arrives at the winery before a soft pressing. Fermentation in stainless steel at controlled temperatures with dried grapes being added to the fresh must in several batches. During maceration, the dried grapes release an extraordinary legacy of sweetness, freshness and a very personal aroma. Fermentation and maceration lasts over 1 month. Ageing in stainless steel for 8 months and at least 12 months in bottle before being released to the market.
