2008 Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria, Half

The Rallo family have been involved in wine production in Marsala for over 150 years, but were one of the first families to move into the production of high quality table wine when sales of Marsala started to decline. They have two estates in Sicily: 260 hectares at Contessa Entellina in the hills east of Marsala; and 68 hectares on the island of Pantelleria, a small island that is closer to
the coast of North Africa than it is to Sicily. Famous for its capers, Moscato and incessant wind (hence the bush trained vines), the island has also gained renown for being the summer home of Giorgio Armani. The Ben Rye, made from the Zibibbo grape (Moscato d'Alessandria), is a modern take on the classic Moscato Passito di Pantelleria. The grapes come from 11 different areas on the island, each of which has a unique micro-climate that dictates different ripening times and flavour profiles. Harvesting begins after ferragosto (15 August), when the grapes destined for drying are picked. They are laid out to dry in the wind and the sun for about 20-30 days. In September, the later ripening vineyards are harvested. The grapes are cooled to preserve their aromas and then soft-pressed. During the course of fermentation, the dried grapes are added - on several occasions to the fermenting wines. This maceration of the dried grapes in the must adds complexity and balance to the finished wine, which is aged in stainless steel tanks for at least 4 months prior to bottling. The wine is not cheap but the quality is absolutely sensational.

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