Passito di Pantelleria 'Ben Ryé' Donnafugata 2021 - 37.5cl

Donnafugata's Ben Ryé is one of the most famous Sicilian passito wines in Italy and in the world, and it has become a paradigm of the Passito di Pantelleria. Its name means "daughter of the wind" in Arabic, an epithet attributed to this Mediterranean island, struck by winds that blow over the grapes and crops, giving them intense and very characteristic aromas, the same ones we find in the wine. The illustration on the label is by the designer Stefano Vitale and it represents the work and toil of the winegrowers in this area, illuminated by intense sunlight, with the 'dammuso', a typical architecture of the island, in the background.

The Zibibbo grapes used to produce Donnafugat's a Ben Ryé come from no less than 11 districts on the island of Pantelleria: each one of them has a different microclimate and produces grapes with unique characteristics. The first step of the production process consists of harvesting the grapes from the typical Pantelleria saplings, cleaning the bunches and drying them naturally on racks in the sun for 3-4 weeks starting from the middle of August. In September, a second harvest is carried out in the less precocious districts and the berries of the dried bunches, which are destemmed by hand, are poured in the fresh must of these grapes. During the fermentation period, which ends in November, maceration of the sugar-laden skins gives the product structure, complexity, colour and a fabulous aromatic vibrancy.

Passito di Pantelleria Ben Ryé is an extraordinary example of a meditation wine: enveloping, harmonious, sweet, fresh and soft. The notes of apricot, peach, dried figs and honey that emerge on the nose are extremely rich, as are the structure and complexity that enchant the palate: a light and harmonious fusion of sweetness, softness and savouriness. A sweet nectar that expresses all the strength and energy of Pantelleria's two protagonists: the sun and the wind blowing on the Zibibbo grapes. From these elements, combined with a thousand years of man's wisdom on production, comes this extraordinary passito: a great wine for meditation, to be paired with rich Sicilian pastries, an excellent companion for a romantic evening or to complement an elegant moment spent reading a book or listening to good music.