Grappa Tasting Collection 6 samples set in gift box

The Dolcetto grape is a well-known blue grape in northern Italy, which grows especially around Alba. The name means 'little sweet'. In the wine, this can only be slightly recognized. Paolo Marolo began his Distilleria in Alba (Piemonte) in 1977 and immediately began to distil all kinds of grape varieties separately from each other in small au bain-marie bowls, as did the Dolcetto grape. The Grappa of this grape is full and powerful with many fruity and floral notes. This Grappa has not matured on wood, therefore it is white. Grappa of the Dolcetto grape is quite rare.

The brothers Michele and Paolo Dolzan are the 4th generation in the Villa de Varda (Mezzolombardo, Trentino) distilleria. What makes this house unique is that they only use grapes from their own land. So they make their wine and their Grappa from the same grapes. The pulp enters the boilers within half an hour after pressing, so there is little or no contamination in the pulp. The Teroldego is a typical Trentino grape; very suitable for a sturdy Grappa. Villa de Varda also releases a white variety, and this Riserva, which has matured about half a year on oak wood.

The town of Asti (Piemonte) has become famous for its Moscato d'Asti, a slightly sparkling sweet white wine. Roberto Dellavalle likes to make Grappa out of it. The Muscat (Moscato) grape makes for a slightly sweet, soft and spicy Grappa. This Moscato has matured for a year, hence the beautiful color. The reason why so much Grappa is made in Italy is actually very logical; the state taxes the grape pulp. Wine makers therefore sell their pulp to Grappa distillers. The Grappa distillers have a wide range of pulp and can make more than enough Grappa.

Grappa producers are increasingly starting to release much older Grappa. Slowly but surely something like a premium range is emerging. Roberto Dellavalle, who opened his distillery near Asti (Piemonte) in 1983, has been doing this for some time; he likes to bring quality to the market. This Amarone Grappa has matured for 36 months on huge oak barrels. After that, the Grappa was matured for another 36 months on small barrels, in which Amarone wine was aged. The colour of this Grappa comes mainly from the last maturation. The Amarone is powerful, fruity and has soft wood notes.

In 1897 Orazio Nonino establishes his own distillery in Ronchi di Pavia. In 1933 the distillery moves from Ronchi to Percoto. Here, the Noninos introduce their “Aquavitae Optima”; a test which would lead to the creation of Monovitigno (single variety) Grappa. This grappa is distilled from the pulp of the Moscat grape immediately after pressing and fermentation. In order to guarantee the best quality of the distillates, Nonino only produces during the wine harvest.

The white Chardonnay grape grows all over the world. This is why it has become a popular white wine. In Piedmont, a fruity and sturdy Chardonnay is made. The Grappa that is made from it is therefore a very popular one. A few days or weeks after the pulp goes to the distillery after pressing, the produced alcohol is steamed from the pulp. Afterwards, Grappa is made from it. The Chardonnay Grappa is fresh and characterized by a light apple acidity. A fine Grappa after a solid meal.