Marco de Bartoli Passito di Pantelleria Bukkuram ‘Sole d’Agosto’ 2022 750ml

The 2022 Passito di Pantelleria Sole di Agosto opens in the glass with a surprisingly fresh burst of grapefruit zest, green melon, mint leaves and candied lime. This is weighty, with a contrasting blend of ripe orchard fruits and zesty citrus offset by tantalizing acidity and saline minerals that swirl throughout. Lemon custard and Key lime tones linger through the long and vibrant finish.

• Country: Italy
• Region: Sicily
• Size: 750ml

Varietal

Passito

Passito is a winemaking method, not a specific grape variety, used to create rich, concentrated wines from air-dried grapes. Known as appassimento, this technique is widely practiced in Italy, particularly in regions like Veneto, Tuscany, and Sicily. Various grapes are used, depending on the region and wine style, including Corvina (for Amarone and Recioto della Valpolicella), Garganega (for Recioto di Soave), and Zibibbo (for Passito di Pantelleria).

What makes Passito wines unique is their intense concentration of flavors and sugars. After harvest, grapes are dried on straw mats, racks, or hung in well-ventilated rooms for weeks or months, reducing water content while intensifying sugar, acidity, and aromas. This results in wines with rich textures and deep flavors of dried fruit, honey, caramel, nuts, and spice, with excellent aging potential.

Passito wines range from dry (Amarone della Valpolicella) to lusciously sweet (Vin Santo, Passito di Pantelleria). They pair beautifully with aged cheeses, desserts, or as an indulgent sipping wine.