Donnafugata
Passito di Pantalleria Ben Rye 0.75L 2023
| Denomination | DOC Passito di Pantelleria |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 14.5% by volume |
| Area | Sicily (Italy) |
| Grape varieties | 100% Zibibbo |
| Aging | Aged in stainless steel for 7 months and at least 12 months in the bottle before being released for sale. |
- Name and style: Passito di Pantelleria DOC naturally sweet wine from Zibibbo grapes
- Intense aromas: Notes of sultanas, apricot, candied orange peel and Mediterranean scrub
- Balanced taste: Enveloping sweetness balanced by lively freshness and a long mineral finish
- Heroic production: Hand harvesting and sun-drying on the island of Pantelleria
- Serving and pairings: At 10–14 °C, ideal with blue cheeses, foie gras and chocolate
Description
What kind of wine it is
Ben Ryé by Donnafugata is a natural sweet wine that enhances the unique qualities of Zibibbo. A renowned expression of Passito di Pantelleria, it displays a golden colour with bright amber highlights. On the nose, it releases intense notes of sultanas, apricot, candied orange, honey and aromatic herbs. On the palate, a vibrant freshness balances the rich sweetness, offering a harmonious and well-balanced sip. The exceptionally long mineral finish makes this an ideal wine to pair with blue cheeses or dry pastries, and it is also perfect as a meditation wine.
Where it comes from
The vineyards grow on the island of Pantelleria, set on deep volcanic sandy soils, fertile and rich in valuable minerals. Situated on steep terraces up to four hundred metres above sea level, the vines are cultivated using the alberello pantesco method, an ancient agricultural technique protected worldwide. The environment is characterised by sunny summers, scarce rainfall and constant winds that keep the grapes perfectly healthy. These extreme conditions ensure a natural concentration of aromas, giving the wine a volcanic character that embodies the spirit of the land.
How it is produced
Production begins with a careful manual harvest, selecting Zibibbo bunches destined for natural sun-drying. The fresh grapes are gently pressed to start fermentation, during which the de-stemmed dried grapes are gradually added, slowly releasing sugars and intense aromas. This delicate maceration continues for over a month, maximising the sensory extraction from the fruit. To preserve the varietal expression, the process concludes with seven months of ageing in steel, followed by a period of rest in glass, sealing the harmony of this extraordinary passito.
History and Curiosities
Born in Pantelleria as a tribute to Zibibbo, Ben Ryé by Donnafugata is the emblem of heroic viticulture. Its name, which in Arabic means “Son of the Wind”, evokes the constant breezes that caress the grapes grown using the traditional Pantelleria bush vine, now a UNESCO heritage. The label depicts the harvest among the dammusi. After harvesting and sun-drying, the wine matures in steel and bottle, resulting in a masterpiece acclaimed with 94 points by Vinous.
Awards
-
2023
97/100
Decanter is a wine and lifestyle magazine, published monthly in around 90 countries. The magazine includes industry news, classic guides and advice on wine and spirits.
-
2023
99/100
One of the most prestigious wine guides in Italy.
Tasting notes
Perfume
Color
Taste
Serve at:
10 - 12 °C
Longevity:
15 - 25 years
- Start up year: 1983
- Oenologist: Antonio Rallo, Antonino Santoro e Pietro Russo con la consulenza di Stefano Valla
- Bottles produced: 3.650.000
- Hectares: 488
Giacomo Rallo, is the fourth generation of a family with over 170 years of experience in producing quality wine. In 1983 he founded Donnafugata together with his wife Gabriella, considered a pioneer of feminine viticulture. Today the company is led by their children Antonio and José together with a team of people committed to excellence and to the very best representation of Made in Italy.
Donnafugata is a world full of colors and timeless values, pleasant and elegant wines with a unique style. Our trademark labels tell the colours of Sicily and the character of the wines in a distinctive and fantastic feminine style. Read more
| Name | Donnafugata Passito di Pantalleria Ben Rye 0.75L 2023 |
|---|---|
| Type | White green dessert wine dessert wine aromatic |
| Denomination | Pantelleria DOC |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 14.5% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 100% Zibibbo |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Sicily |
| Vendor | Donnafugata |
| Story | History and Curiosities Born in Pantelleria as a tribute to Zibibbo, Ben Ryé by Donnafugata is the emblem of heroic viticulture. Its name, which in Arabic means "Son of the Wind", evokes the constant breezes that caress the grapes grown using the traditional Pantelleria bush vine, now a UNESCO heritage. The label depicts the harvest among the dammusi. After harvesting and sun-drying, the wine matures in steel and bottle, resulting in a masterpiece acclaimed with 94 points by Vinous. |
| Origin | Island of Pantelleria (south-western Sicily) |
| Climate | Mild winters with little rain; dry and breezy summers, with intense sunshine and constant wind |
| Soil composition | Complex composition, typically volcanic, with cultivated land mainly on terraces. Sandy soils of volcanic origin with a sub-acidic or neutral reaction; deep and fertile, rich in minerals. |
| Plants per hectare | 2500 |
| Yield per hectare | Approximately 40-50 quintals |
| Harvest | Dal 17 agosto al 15 settembre |
| Fermentation | Over a month |
| Production technique | Sun-drying of grapes (passito) |
| Wine making | Upon arrival at the winery, the grapes are further selected on a vibrating table and subjected to gentle pressing; this is followed by fermentation in stainless steel at a controlled temperature. During fermentation, sun-dried grapes, destemmed and hand-selected, are added in several stages; maceration and fermentation last for over a month. The wine is then aged in stainless steel for 7 months and for at least 12 months in bottle before release. |
| Aging | Aged in stainless steel for 7 months and at least 12 months in the bottle before being released for sale. |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |