Hibiscus Zibibbo Passito Zhabib 2024

Hibiscus Zibibbo Passito Zhabib is a sweet passito wine from the IGT Terre Siciliane in Sicily, made organically from Zibibbo, the Sicilian name for Muscat of Alexandria. The grape is grown in the island's intense Mediterranean sun on volcanic and marine influenced soils, conditions that ripen it fully while preserving its powerful floral aroma. The passito method defines the wine: after picking, the grapes are laid out to dry, which evaporates water and concentrates the sugars, acids and aromatic compounds in the shrivelled berries before pressing. Zibibbo is one of the few varieties whose perfume intensifies rather than fades through drying, which is why it has long been used for sweet wines across Sicily and its smaller islands. Fermentation is stopped to retain sweetness, and the wine is aged for around six months in stainless steel, which keeps the aromatics fresh and the colour bright rather than overlaying oak. The colour is golden. The nose is openly floral, with orange blossom over apricot and honey. The palate is sweet and concentrated, carrying dried apricot, orange marmalade and raisin, lifted by citrus acidity on the finish. Serve at 8 to 10C in a small glass, with fruit desserts or pastries.