What the Frack is Zibibbo?

What the Frack is Zibibbo? »

Andrew Barrow

31 Aug

I must admit to reaching for the reference books for Zibibbo. It’s from Sicily – that much I knew ‘casue its on the label – but what came as a surprise was that it is a local name for Muscat of Alexandria. Who knew?

To be honest, from the aroma and taste I’d never have considered this a Muscat. Lemons, lemon bon-bons and those lemon dib-dab things you use to buy immediatly sprang to mind. A little sweetness manifesting as a round fullish body, but Muscat? now I know its Muscat it is obvious; a floral, grape element is noticable on the aroma. Some acidity gives a citrus-crisp finish, and helps hide that slight sweetness.

For the geeks, the know-alls and the specialist pub-quiz winners did you know that the name Zibibbo comes from the Arab word zibib which means grape.

Wine Tasting Note: Terre al Sole Zibibbo, 2008 Sicily, Italy.
Stockist: Waitrose Price: £6.99 [More: Adegga / Snooth]

Andrew BarrowScribblings Rating – 86/100 [3.25 out of 5]

5 Comments »

Dylan says:

31/08/2009 at 2:16 pm

Thanks for adding to my lexicon. There’s nothing more rewarding than an etymology lesson wine or otherwise. I will be passing this fact about Zibib along.

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Nick Austen says:

31/08/2009 at 7:37 pm

I love Zib.

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Peter May says:

01/09/2009 at 12:01 pm

The name is used also in Australia. Brown Bros has a Zibibbo sparkler.

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spiltwine says:

08/09/2009 at 8:20 pm

Brown’s has two Zibibbo’s in fact.A white and a rose. Only learnt about them this year.
White is very sweet and almost cloying while the rose is strawberry like and just on the verge of being too cloying. Muscat flavours in both…

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Andrew Chapman says:

14/09/2009 at 2:25 pm

Shame upon you AB – in a former life you helped sell one

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