Zibibbo

Zibibbo is the Sicilian name for Muscat of Alexandria, one of the oldest and most intensely aromatic white grapes in the world, grown above all on the sun-battered volcanic island of Pantelleria off Sicily's south-western coast. It is unmistakably perfumed — grapey and floral, with orange blossom, ripe peach, apricot and a candied citrus lift — and, unusually, it smells the way the fresh grape tastes. From the same variety come dry, mineral seaside whites, lightly off-dry and sparkling versions, and its most celebrated expression, the honeyed sun-dried dessert wine Passito di Pantelleria. Fragrant, generous and sun-soaked, it is the aromatic face of southern Italian white wine.