Drink of the Week: Donnafugata Ben Ryé

Dessert wine might not be top of mind when it comes to choosing summer sips, but Donnafugata Ben Ryé is a surprisingly fitting choice for the season.

The Ben Ryé is an Italian white wine whose Zibbibo (or Muscat of Alexandria) grapes grow on the tiny volcanic island of Pantelleria off the coast of Sicily. They benefit from the mineral-rich terroir of the land, in addition to mild winters with windy summers. The vines are also resilient, having survived waves of phylloxera from over a hundred years ago. With vintages dating back to the late 1980s and an aging time of five months in stainless steel (plus eight more months in the bottle before release), Donnafugata has had a considerable amount of time to perfect the Ben Ryé. 

The 2021 vintage of Donnafugata Ben Ryé bursts with flavors of honey and melon, just the right touch of sweetness, and an intoxicating aroma of apricots. It’s a perfect match for sharp cheese and salty meats, and the size makes it a great choice for summer days lounging in the park. $46.99, astorwines.com