Cellar: Donnafugata.
Grape variety: 100% Zibibbo (Moscato di Alessandria).
Production area: Pantelleria, Sicily. The grapes come from 11 districts of the island of Pantelleria: each of these areas is characterized by its own microclimate.
Vinification technique: Fermentation takes place in steel tanks at controlled temperatures; the fermented and selected raisins are added to the fermenting must on several occasions.
Maturation and Aging: 8 months of aging in steel tanks and 12 months of aging in bottle.
Temperature of service: 12-14 ° C.
Alcoholic by volume: 14.5% vol.
Sugar residue: 196 g / l.
The cellar
The Donnafugata winery was founded in 1983 by Giacomo Rallo and his wife Gabriella, both of whom decided to rediscover and revitalize the commercial vocation of the Rallo family, wine merchants in Marsala since 1851. Today they are joined by their sons José and Antonio. Over time, Donnafugata has managed to become a point of reference for Sicilian wine, the protagonist of the enhancement of Sicily and its excellence all over the world. Its vineyards cover 384 hectares divided into 4 estates with an adjoining winemaking and aging cellar: Contessa Entellina, Pantelleria, Vittoria and Etna.
The wine
The Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria DOC 2016 wine is very clear. The color is a golden yellow with amber reflections. The nose is intense, rather complex with a bouquet of yellow fruit in which we find peach and ripe apricot, enriched with hints of orange peel and honey. In the mouth it’s intense and enveloping; the high alcohol content and the sugary residue make it soft, persistent and balanced with its freshness and flavor, demonstrating a long longevity over time.
Food in pairing
To be consumed at the end of the meal alone as a meditation wine or in combination with dry pastries, cream and fruit cakes. Another excellent pairing is with blue cheeses and aged cheeses.
Where to buy it at the best price: Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria DOC 2016
Cigars in pairing:
Sobremesa Cervantes Fino
Bolivar Belicoso Finos
Tornabuoni Orciolo
Conclusions
Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria DOC 2016 is one of the most famous Sicilian sweet wines in Italy and in the world, which has become a reference point for the Passito di Pantelleria denomination. Suitable for special occasions, it is an excellent meditation wine. It can be combined with pastry, blue cheeses and cigars that give a soft, structured and persistent smoke.