Profile

Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninlow
Aciditymedium
Sweetnesssweet
Oaknone or neutral

Drinking window

Best 5 to 20 years from vintage.

vintage5 yrs20 yrs22 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating above is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedLow tanninMedium aciditySweetVery Long, Honeyed, Exotic-Spiced finish

Aroma: apricot jam, orange blossom, honey, exotic spices

Palate: candied orange peel, dried apricot, mango, honeyed almond

Ben Ryé (Arabic for 'son of the wind') is Donnafugata's flagship Passito di Pantelleria DOC: sun-dried Zibibbo from the alberello pantesco vines on the volcanic island, exported widely through Donnafugata's international distribution since the 1990s.

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.More wines for cheese →
  • Semifreddo di mandorle (almond semifreddo) Honeyed almond notes in the wine mirror the almond semifreddo in a balanced resonance.More wines for dessert →
  • Aged Gorgonzola The wine's concentrated sweetness and exotic spices create a powerful contrast with the pungent blue cheese.More wines for blue cheese →

With cheese

Ricotta Infornata Our pick Baked ricotta is salted and finished with a thin browned skin. The apricot and honey of a sun-dried passito from Pantelleria or the Aeolian islands set sweet against salty, the way a dessert wine meets a blue cheese.

How to serve Donnafugata Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria

Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
  2. Serve at 12-14°C. Cellar temperature (12-14°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a small dessert-wine glass (3-5oz pour): the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Cannoli di ricotta with candied orange, Semifreddo di mandorle (almond semifreddo), Aged Gorgonzola. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

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.

  1. 1990First Ben Rye vintage; Donnafugata Pantelleria production begins
  2. 1996Ben Rye wins first Tre Bicchieri from Gambero Rosso; begins building international reputation

Facts

Producer
Donnafugata Pantelleria · visiting guide
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

Frequently asked about Donnafugata Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria

What does Donnafugata Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria taste like?

On the nose, apricot jam, orange blossom, honey, exotic spices. On the palate, candied orange peel, dried apricot, mango, honeyed almond. Structurally full-bodied, low tannins, medium acidity with a very long, honeyed, exotic-spiced finish. 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.

When should I drink Donnafugata Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria?

Drink 5-20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Donnafugata Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria?

Cannoli di ricotta with candied orange is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Semifreddo di mandorle (almond semifreddo) and Aged Gorgonzola. The wine's orange blossom and apricot sweetness perfectly bridge the ricotta-filled cannolo and its candied peel.

What grapes are in Donnafugata Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria?

The blend is Zibibbo. The wine is classified as Passito di Pantelleria DOC.

Tags

cellar worthy dessert passito full body iconic medium acid mood festive mood romantic occasion celebration occasion gift occasion special old world pairs with blue cheese pairs with chocolate pairs with fruit desserts price premium sweet zibibbo

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