This Tasting Contains 12 tubes of the following Grappas:
Dellavalle - Moscato Gran Cuvée
Piedmont
When Oenologist Roberto Dellavalle opened the Villa Isa distilleria in 1983 near Asti (Piemonte), he had extensive experience in making Grappa and wine. His idea was to make Grappa of the separate grapes; the so-called Monovitigno Grappa. For example, he uses the Moscato grape pulp. The Muscat (Moscato) grape is a somewhat sweeter white grape. That can be tasted well in this grappa. Soft, accessible and fruity. With a well-made Grappa, the wine is definitely recognizable.
Dellavalle - Chardonnay
Piedmont
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.
Marolo di Barolo
Piedmont
In 1977 the Santoa Teresa distillery was founded in the city of Alba in the Piedmont region in the far north-west of Italy and ranks among the world's best wine regions. Here Paolo Marolo creates this elegant grappa variations. As a result, he is considered one of the most successful distillers. This grappa has matured 4 years in acacia wood barrels and is made according to the traditional process.
Terre Antiche - Barbera
Italy
Terre Antiche literally translates to ‘the old country’, and that’s exactly what master distiller Roberto della Valle wants to translate to the grappa drinker—the terroir of the grapes and soil. Terre Antiche Grappa di Barbera is made from the Barbera grape, a popular Italian variety that produces a robust red wine with intense fruitiness. The grappa matured in French and Slovenian oak casks.
Nonino - Merlot
Friuli
The art of distillation has been a privilege of the Nonino family since 1897. One of the family’s great claims to fame is the introduction of single varietal grappa in 1973, made from just one grape variety. Nonino – Merlot is exclusively made from Merlot grapes. The artisanal distillation of destalked grape pomace takes place in steam-powered stills, only selecting the heart of each distillation. Because the Nonino family distil their pomace not long after the harvest, they manage to retain important organoleptic characteristics.
Le Opere - Prosecco
Veneto
The Zanin Distilleria in Zugliano (Veneto) has been making Grappa since 1895. Zanin started early on with Monovitigno Grappa, which means nothing more than that the Grappa is made from one kind of grape. After pressing the grapes by the winemaker, the pulp goes to the distillery. The alcohol is steamed out of the pulp and Grappa is distilled from it. The white Prosecco grape is quite light and easy, which is easily recognizable in the Grappa. Fresh fruit tones with a little pepper. Unfurtunately, you won't find bubbles in this Grappa, like in Prosecco wine.
Le Opere - Invecchiata in Legno
Veneto
The Zanin Distilleria in the small community of Zugliano has been producing grappa since 1895, and was quick to adopt production of mono-varietal grappa, which means a distillate that is made from one grape variety. Zanin has been one of the most prominent grappa producers in Italy for four generations. The white Prosecco grape is fairly light and easy-going, and it shines through in this grappa invecchiata, that has matured for a minimum of twelve months in oak casks.
Marolo - Dolcetto
Piedmont
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.
Nonino - Moscato
Friuli
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.
Dellavalle - Amarone XO
Piedmont
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.
Villa de Varda - Teroldego Riserva
Trentino
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.
Villa de Varda - Moscato Riserva
Trentino
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.
