GRAPPA

An Italian liqueur  

   The word derives from an Italian word “Graspa”          which means grape skin after fermentation.

  Traditionally made from pomace, the discarded grape seeds, stalks and stems that are a by-product of the winemaking process Once considered an acquired taste, popular only in Italy, Grappa, today, is making itself known around the world. 

Distilleries from Australia to Oregon, as well as Italy, are trying their hand at making Grappa, with surprisingly good results.

Grappa, largely, remained a drink of the poor workmen and farmers until the 1960s. 

The character of Grappa changed in the 1960s largely thanks to the efforts of one woman - Giannola Nonino. Her Nonino distillery, in Percoto Italy, has been producing Grappa since 1897. In the early 1970s, she began making Grappa from a single grape, as opposed to the customary mélange of grape leftovers.  

The Nonino Distillery's first single grape Grappa was crafted from the Picolit grape. Today, over a dozen different grapes are used for single grape Grappa’s, called "monovitigno" Grappa’s
 

Grappa's popularity has spread all around the globe. Once unknown outside of Italy, today Grappa is being produced all over the world, from Oregon to South Africa.

Grappa can either be made from a mixture of pomaces from different sources, or from one grape variety. If at least 85% of the pomace comes from a single variety, the grappa can be designated di vitigno or varietale, and the type of grape can be incorporated into the name of the drink. 

A variety of flavored grappa’s are also available, including drinks with a hint of almond, honey or blueberry and Nardini's Acqua di Cedro, a grappa-based liquor made with cedro (an Italian fruit similar to an oversized lemon).

Gewürztraminer – a special variety

Grappa can be made using the skins of one or more grape varieties. The most well-known unmixed grappa is Gewürztraminer – made from an autochthonous, aromatic grape species. Grappa made from the pomace of Gewürztraminer therefore has a particularly intensive aroma.

Crystal clear or stored in wooden kegs?Grappa is usually crystal clear. However, if it is stored in wooden casks for a while, it turns darker and develops a woody aroma. Grappa is also stored for varying periods of time before being sold.

Young grappa is stored in glass or steel containers for 6 months. “Vecchia” or “invecchiata” refers to grappa which has been stored exclusively in wooden casks for at least 12 months. After being stored for at least 18 months in wooden casks, the grappa may be labeled “stravecchia” or “riserva”.

This video will give you an exact idea of the  Grappa manufacturing process

some glossary on GRAPPA :

Giovane (Young) – after production remains in stainless steel tanks till the bottling;

Aromatica (Aromatic) – made from aromatic or semi-aromatic grapes such as Muscat, Gewürztraminer, Malvasia, etc.;

Affinata (Refined) – bottled after ageing for less than 12 months in wooden barrels;

Invecchiata or Vecchia (Aged or Old) - bottled after ageing for 12 to 18 months in wooden barrels;

Stravecchia or Riserva (Very Old or Reserve) - bottled after ageing for more than 18 months in wooden barrels;

Single Variety  – obtained from the marc of just one variety of grapes, which is usually given on the label;

Polivitigno (Poly-variety) – obtained with a cuvée of single grape varieties belonging to the same family but different for clone, provenance, ripening period, harvest times and vinification method; 

Aromatizzata (Flavoured) - Grappa in which a natural substance of vegetable origin (i.e. Blueberry, Liquorice, Rue herb, ect.) was placed in infusion after the distillation, thus enriched with the herb/fruit own officinal properties

Some Famous Grappa  around the World :

                                                               

                                                               Nonino – Grappa Monovitigno di Picolit

                  

                                 The art of distillation has been the privilege of the Nonino family since 1897,

   The most important date in the history of the Nonino distillery was 1973, when Benito and Giannola registered                       term Monovitigno and marketed the first grappa made solely from marc from Piccolit grapes

                                     

                                    Domenis Distillery – Storica Nera

                                                          Pojer & Sandri – Grappa di Traminer

                                                        Giovi – Grappa Moscato di Pantelleria