READ · COMPARE · EXPLAIN
Donnafugata: drying and fermentation of Zibibbo
This Sicilian producer crafts sweet wines from Zibibbo on the island of Pantelleria. Their flagship wine, Ben Ryé, is a Passito made by adding dried grapes to fresh juice. The 1998 Mille e una Notte red is made from Nero d’Avola.
Explain Ben Ryé, including the alternative name for Zibibbo, the timing for adding dried fruit, and the 2021 aging process.
Questions for this course
Is Ben Ryé made only by pressing dried grapes?
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To explanation task notes ↓Donnafugata / Learn from the producers
Italy / Sicily / Pantelleria
Also known as / Label: Donnafugata / ドンナフガータ
Updated: 2026-10-07
Connect alternative names of grape varieties
The grape variety Zibibbo used for Ben Ryé is Muscat of Alexandria. The 2021 designation is Passito di Pantelleria DOC. Kabir 2024, from the same island, also uses Zibibbo, but is labeled as Moscato di Pantelleria DOC.
Dried berries to fresh must
The 2022 catalogue describes a method where the first harvest is in mid-August and the grapes are dried by sun and wind for 3–4 weeks. Selected dried grapes are added during fermentation to the fresh must from the September harvest. It is important not to treat drying and fermentation as a single process.
Check the aging for 2021
In the 2021 information, dried grapes are added in several stages, with fermentation and maceration taking over a month. Afterwards, aging is in stainless steel for 5 months and then at least 8 months in bottle. By separating the drying period from vinification and maturation, you can trace the entire method.
What to align and what to compare.
Grapes
- Conditions to standardize
- Zibibbo
- Conditions for comparison.
- Labeling for Passito and Moscato
- Additional points to confirm
- Production methods for each wine
Harvest
- Conditions to standardize
- The same variety.
- Conditions for comparison.
- For drying and for fresh must
- Additional points to confirm
- Harvest timing and handling
Time
- Conditions to standardize
- Ben Ryé
- Conditions for comparison.
- Drying, fermentation, maturation
- Additional points to confirm
- Year the source material refers to.
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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- 1↗
Italy
The latitudes, elevations, and seas that divide Italy’s wine regions
Check the position of Sicily and its islands.
- 2↗
Italy
Production methods for Amarone, Recioto, and Ripasso
Read the process of drying.
- 3↗
Italy
DOCG, DOC, IGT and EU Geographical Indications
Organize the labels, grape varieties, and appellations.
READ · HYPOTHESIZE · RECONSIDER
Donnafugata material analysis: drying and fermentation of Zibibbo
Match comparison tables with cited sources and explain differences in raw materials and vinification process.
Comparison tables are based on the cited sources. Please distinguish between vintage-specific specifications and general descriptions at the time of confirmation.
| Comparison items | Step | Description of the material. |
|---|---|---|
| Raw material | Zibibbo | Muscat of Alexandria |
| Drying and fermentation | Add dried grapes to fresh must | Separate harvest and processing |
| Aging in 2021 | 5 months in stainless steel, at least 8 months in bottle | Separate from the drying period |
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Read the explanation for each question
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What is another name for Zibibbo?
The grape variety Zibibbo used for Ben Ryé is Muscat of Alexandria. The 2021 designation is Passito di Pantelleria DOC. Kabir 2024, from the same island, also uses Zibibbo, but is labeled as Moscato di Pantelleria DOC.
When are dried grapes added?
The 2022 catalogue describes a method where the first harvest is in mid-August and the grapes are dried by sun and wind for 3–4 weeks. Selected dried grapes are added during fermentation to the fresh must from the September harvest. It is important not to treat drying and fermentation as a single process.
2021 stainless steel aging?
In the 2021 information, dried grapes are added in several stages, with fermentation and maceration taking over a month. Afterwards, aging is in stainless steel for 5 months and then at least 8 months in bottle. By separating the drying period from vinification and maturation, you can trace the entire method.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Match comparison tables with cited sources and explain differences in raw materials and vinification process.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | Step | Description of the material. |
|---|---|---|
| Raw material | Zibibbo | Muscat of Alexandria |
| Drying and fermentation | Add dried grapes to fresh must | Separate harvest and processing |
| Aging in 2021 | 5 months in stainless steel, at least 8 months in bottle | Separate from the drying period |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
Explain Ben Ryé, including the alternative name for Zibibbo, the timing for adding dried fruit, and the 2021 aging process.
Check after writing
- Did you associate each label with its region and grape variety?
- Did you separate the shared and differing conditions in your comparison?
- Did you clearly indicate the year(s) the material covers or the date checked?
Save response to explanation task
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