Ipsus Passito Di Pantelleria

When first finding Ipsus Passito Di Pantelleria Moscato from Sicily on the shelf at Trader Joe's for a mere $10 - I recited the adage - "if its too good to be true - it must be" - 

The salesperson on the floor said - "I heard it was very sweet" - but he had not tasted it - 

Checked it out on-line - generally neutral to negative remarks - but every so often - someone raved - 

Had to try it - which is what we did last night - 

The group "swore" it was from - California - sweet - orange - a few votes for pineapple - Muscat - when we put it into the Old World - educated guesses were focused on France - several votes maintained it "must be" fortified' - no one came close to Sicily - but as a whole - everyone "liked" the wine - pricing was generally put in the mid $20s - with one member offering $12 - $14 - another going as high as $40 - 

When the actual $10 price tag was revealed - several of my fellow tasters asked - who was going to be down on 14th Street the next day - who could grab them half-a-case - 

Don't get me wrong - this is not a substitute for 20 year old TBA - Tokaji - Chateau d'Yquem - what it is though is great bag-for-the-buck - a heavy - fruity - very sweet - liquid dessert treat - 

Enjoy - 

Comments

[supra foot]

It's so nice to have you do all of the research for us. It makes our decision making so much easier!! Thanks.

[Ü Zeneise]

and a history of the name Ipsus:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ipsus

[Ü Zeneise]

To understand better, sip some history - read these Wiki's

of the island
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantelleria

and the ancient vine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zibibbo

[winerr]

there is always going to be people with the snob appeal. who cares, cheese cake and a bottle of this and we're happy.

enjoy.

[WF Posey]

Trader Joe is scamming you people. I live on Pantelleria and there is no way you can get an authentic Passito Pantelleria for this price, it is absolutely impossible. I have visited the Trader Joe website but it is designed to help you find a store, Suspiciously there is no way at all to contact the company from the web site. Any commercial producer who does not have a contact information on their web site should be viewed with contempt and suspicion. Whatever you may have had, it is not from Pantelleria.