In the glass
Aroma: apricot jam, orange blossom, honey, exotic spices
Palate: candied orange peel, dried apricot, mango, honeyed almond
Ben Rye (Arabic for 'son of the wind') is Italy's most celebrated Passito di Pantelleria: sun-dried Zibibbo from the alberello pantesco vines on the volcanic island, achieving a concentration and aromatic complexity that has defined the appellation's international reputation.
What it pairs with
-
Cannoli di ricotta with candied orange
The wine's orange blossom and apricot sweetness perfectly bridge the ricotta-filled cannolo and its candied peel. -
Semifreddo di mandorle (almond semifreddo)
Honeyed almond notes in the wine mirror the almond semifreddo in a harmonious resonance. -
Aged Gorgonzola
The wine's concentrated sweetness and exotic spices create a powerful contrast with the pungent blue cheese.
History
Ben Rye was first produced in 1990 when the Rallo family's Donnafugata estate began farming Zibibbo on Pantelleria, trained in the traditional alberello pantesco system. The name comes from Arabic, reflecting Pantelleria's North African cultural heritage, and the wine has consistently won Gambero Rosso's highest award (Tre Bicchieri) making it the most frequently decorated sweet wine in Italy.
- 1990 — First Ben Rye vintage; Donnafugata Pantelleria production begins
- 1996 — Ben Rye wins first Tre Bicchieri from Gambero Rosso; begins building international reputation
Facts
- Producer
- Donnafugata Pantelleria
- Grapes
- Zibibbo
- Classification
- Passito di Pantelleria DOC
- Oak
- No oak; stainless steel; sun-dried Zibibbo concentration
- ABV
- 14.5%
- Price
- €30-50 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1990