The Zibibbo IGP Sicilian Lands by Tenuta Papale is characterized by its golden color and its intense flavor with notes of orange, mandarin, and raisins. It pairs especially well with tea pastries as well as fruit ice cream.

The Zibibbo IGP Sicilian Lands by Tenuta Papale can be enjoyed either as an aperitif wine (10–12°C) or as a dessert wine (16–18°C).
To accompany it, you will find a variety of recipes for delicious Sicilian desserts with us – simply click here.

Characteristics and history of the grape variety

Zibibbo is one of the very rare grape varieties in the world with a triple characteristic: it is a wine grape, it is delicious for eating, and it is ideal for drying. This exceptional versatility is one of the reasons for its long history, which dates back up to 5,000 years.
Zibibbo has been cultivated in the Mediterranean region since ancient times and has survived through the centuries without significant genetic changes. The grape variety, also known as Moscato d’Alessandria, has its roots in the civilization of ancient Egypt, where it was exported by the Phoenicians, or it developed through the intense trade between the peoples of the Fertile Crescent.
Archaeological evidence suggests that winemaking was practiced during the First Dynasty (3000–2890 BC) along the banks of the Nile and that it gradually acquired considerable economic and cultural importance, as shown in the beautiful tomb paintings in the tomb of Kakht in Thebes.
After this initial long adaptation along the North African coasts, Zibibbo was brought by the Phoenicians—most likely along the Carthaginian trade routes—to western Sicily, and by the Greeks to southern Italy. Around 800–700 BC, it developed into one of the most widespread and interesting grape varieties in the western Mediterranean. During the Roman Empire, the variety was also exported to other regions of southern Europe.

In Sicily, Zibibbo is mainly known by its Arabic name Z’bīb, which simply means “raisin.”
Legend has it that Zibibbo easily survived the religious restrictions during Arab rule. However, the Sicilian Arabs reserved the right to cultivate this variety, mainly to harvest its grapes, which were essential for flavorful culinary preparations.

Geographical distribution

Today, Zibibbo is cultivated not only in Sicily but also in several European countries, as well as in South Africa, California, Australia, and South America, and there are over 200 registered synonyms for this grape variety. In Sicily, the largest production is concentrated in the province of Trapani. Pantelleria, a beautiful small island in the middle of the Mediterranean, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its traditional viticulture methods still in use today (Pantelleria alberello).

Characteristics of the grape variety

Zibibbo is one of the few existing aromatic grape varieties. Like Gewürztraminer, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc, its berries are rich in aromatic organic compounds known as terpenes. In particular, Zibibbo has an exceptional concentration of linalool, geraniol, and nerol.
It is a resilient variety: although it is sensitive to excessive humidity, it tolerates the dryness of warmer climates very well.