The Donnafugata winery was founded in Sicily by the Rallo family, who, driven by passion, have succeeded in raising the profile of Sicilian wine worldwide. Ben Ryé is one of the most beloved Italian sweet wines on the wine scene. A refined Zibibbo passito produced on Pantelleria, a small island straddling Sicily and North Africa, also known as the Black Pearl of the Mediterranean. Indeed, the very lava stones that characterise it reveal the volcanic nature of the island, which is also famous for its scarcity of water and the strong, constant winds that blow there relentlessly all year round. Ben Ryé, from the Arabic, literally means ‘Son of the Wind’. The harvest is carried out by hand and lasts around four weeks. During the fermentation of the must, the dried grape berries are added in several stages, over a total period of about one month. The wine is aged for approximately 8 months in stainless steel and a further 12 months in the bottle. 100 ml: 691 kJ/165 kcal
With a golden colour and luminous amber highlights, Ben Ryé offers an intense bouquet of apricot and candied orange, dried figs, honey and hints of Mediterranean scrub, whilst on the palate it delivers its proverbial freshness that balances the sweetness.
Excellent with blue cheeses and foie gras, but also worth trying with dry pastries and artisanal chocolate. Extraordinary on its own as a meditation wine.
To fully appreciate its style, this wine should be served at a temperature of 10–12°C.
