2006 Passito di Pantelleria DOC Ben Rye'

Ben Rye' is an Arabic word for ‘son of the wind’ and reflects the fact that Pantelleria is a windswept island.

This sweet wine has won the coveted award of the maximum 3 Glasses from the new 2008 edition of the Gambero Rosso wine guide. More than that, it has beaten off fierce competition to be selected as the best sweet wine of the year. Quite an accolade.

Tasting Notes
The wine displays its extraordinary personality and depth initially with its bright amber yellow colour. After the first, intense notes of apricots and peaches, the bouquet offers sweet sensations of dried figs, honey, herbs and mineral notes. The wine is impressive on the palate with its outstanding complexity due to a fusing of sweetness, sapidity and softness. A prolonged finish.

Matching
A great sipping wine, perfect with herbed cheeses, foie gras and sweet preparations of the Sicilian tradition. The wine should be tasted with gianduia, dried fruit or almond paste. It is excellent with yellow fruit tartes.

Winemaking Notes
Zibibbo 100% (or Muscat d’Alessandria)
Harvest:   On 2 occasions, starting in mid August, these grapes are dried in the sun for 3 to 4 weeks. The second in September when the grapes left on the vines are fully mature.
Vinification:   After a gentle pressing it is fermented at controlled temperatures for up to 2 months. The other grape must is kept refrigerated and not fermented until the sun-dried grapes are ready. Aged for 6 months in cement vats. Then at least 3/4 months in bottle before release.