Zibibbo

The term zibibbo derives from the Arabic word zibibb , which meant dried grapes. In reality, the name of the grape variety is Muscat of Alexandria and, as the name implies, it comes from Egypt or more generally from the Middle East area. It is an ancient variety born from the cross between white muscat and an ancient Greek grape: eftakoilo or heptakilo. For centuries it has been cultivated in the western part of Sicily, in particular in the Trapani area and on the island of Pantelleria. It is a typically Mediterranean variety, which loves heat, wind, endures dry, dry climate and adapts very well to poor and stony soils, especially if of volcanic origin. It produces clusters with an elongated shape, with rather large berries with a thick skin covered with bloom. It is an aromatic grape with a sweet taste, which traditionally was used both as a table grape and for making wine. Precisely for its persuasive aromas, the zibibbo was mainly used to produce raisins or to make straw wines. Especially the island of Pantelleria, where zibibbo has always been grown almost exclusively, has become famous precisely for the production of extraordinary straw wines.

In recent decades, in the face of a progressive decline in the consumption of sweet wines, the production of dry wines with a very interesting and pleasant taste has increased. It is white that expresses an intense and elegant bouquet, with aromas of orange blossom, citrus fruits, ripe fruit, tropical hints, nuances of aromatic herbs of the Mediterranean scrub and iodine memories. The sip is soft and persuasive, with a juicy and wide mouth center, well balanced by a lively citrus freshness, which closes with pleasantly sapid sensations. It is a perfect white to taste with seafood appetizers or shellfish. Zibibbo Passito is a wine of great charm, with aromas of candied citrus peel, dried apricot, dehydrated fruit, almond, dried fruit, honey and spices. On the palate it is rich and sweet, with complex and persistent aromas, which anticipate a refreshing finish. It is an ideal dessert wine to accompany classic Sicilian sweets or dry pastries.