We’ve pulled out the cream of the crop to show you the very best of the wines on offer here at Amordivino. These bottles are a little bit special - some famous names, some not. They all really excite us, making them the thing to drink if you want to treat your tastebuds. This is the height of Italian winemaking.

2009 Passito di Pantelleria DOC Ben Rye'

Producer: Donnafugata
Region: Sicilia
Grapes: Zibibbo.
Colour: White
Sweetness: Sweet
Body: Full
Maturity: Now
Alcohol Volume: 14.50%
Bottle Size: 37.5cl

Award winning wine:

3 Glasses, Gambero Rosso 2012

3* Veronelli 2012

Ben Rye' is an Arabic word for ‘son of the wind’ and reflects the fact that Pantelleria is a windswept island. Ben Rye' is widely regarded as Italy's finest sweet wine.

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.