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. 42% Vol. |
In Mezzolombardo (Trentino), at the foot of the Italian Alps, the 4th generation of the Dolzan family makes their very traditional Grappa. Very special is that Dolzan only uses their own grapes from their own region. First, the wine is made and the pulp that remains after pressing is distilled to Grappa. This Grappa has not matured on wood, which explains the white colour. The Pinot Grigio grape gives friendly Grappa with soft fruit and floral notes. 40% Vol. |
From 1967 to 1977, Paolo Marolo taught at the famous oenologist school in Alba. In 1977, he opened his own Grappa Distillery in the same Alba, in the middle of the Barolo region in Piedmont. He was ahead of time, because he already made small batches of Grappa in small au bain marie boilers. The Barbera grape is a blue grape, mainly grown in Piedmont. The wine can be deep and powerful. The Grappa is also powerful with lots of red fruit and even something similar to beeswax. The more powerful the grape, the stronger the Grappa. 40% Vol. |
'The old country', or Terre Antiche, is a small Grappa label of Distilleria Dellavalle. For this Grappa, the grapes of the Amarone wine are used, a famous wine from the Valpolicella area in Veneto, were used. Amarone consists of several grape varieties which are slightly dried before pressing. This Amarone Grappa is therefore very strong and powerful. The colour of the Grappa tells us that a short ripening period took place on oak barrels, also visible from the addition to the name, Riserva. 42% Vol. |
This Grappa is made from the Nebbiolo grape, the basis of all Barolo wines. Barolo is one of the most beautiful Italian wines and is deep red and powerful. The blue Nebbiolo grape has a lot of tannins, so it is not the easiest grape to make wine of. Grappa, made from the pulp of this grape, will also be very powerful and bitter; careful distilling and good filtering is therefore of great importance. Villa Isa matured this Grappa on oak (affinata). The powerful flavour combines perfectly with the wood. The result is a rich and solid Grappa. 42% Vol. |
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. 42% Vol. |
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 Chardonnay grape immediately after pressing and fermentation. In order to guarantee the best quality of the distillates, Nonino only produces during the wine harvest. 41% Vol. |
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. 44% Vol. |
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. 41% Vol. |
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. 42% Vol. |
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. 40% Vol. |
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. 40% Vol. |