We love grappa! And brandy too. One of the most exciting things to happen at Vino as a result of our expanding beyond Italy was the development of a spirits selection that spans the globe. We have fallen in love again with Scotch, Gin, Bourbon, Pisco, Rum and all sorts of other distillates (or booze, hooch, etc.). However, at the end of the day, or the meal to be more specific, we tend to reach for grappa. Italy, being the planet’s most prolific producer of grapes for wine, tends to make a lot of grape-based spirits. The best of these, both grappa made from pomace and brandy made from juice, are perfect punctuation to the end of a good meal. We have selected four excellent examples, two mono-varietal grappas from the Langhe made without refinement in wood, a wood-aged grappa from a benchmark distillery in the Veneto and a 10-year-old, cask-aged Brandy from one of Italy’s most treasured producers.
And remember: you can taste all four of these terrific spirits tomorrow afternoon from 5:30pm!
Bartolo Nardini Aquavite di Vinaccia Riserva Grappa 375ml
$26
This grappa comes from Bassano del Grappa, in the northeastern part of Italy; it has been produced there since 1779. This riserva bottling has been aged for a minimum of 3 years in Slavonian oak, which results in slightly softer, smoother style of grappa. There are hints of spice, honey and cooked fruit, making it a grappa that everyone can enjoy — not just hardcore grappa lovers.
Vecchia Romagna Riserva 10 Anni Brandy 750ml
$43
In 1820, Jean Bouton, a successful French cognac producer from Charente, arrived in Emilia Romagna and began making distillate from Trebbiano grapes. In 1939 the spirit became known as Vecchia Romagna and adopted its distinctive triangular bottle. Today Vecchia Romagna is Italy’s best-selling brandy. Vecchia Romagna Riserva 10 Anni is the result of careful wine selection and an attentive distillation method known as “charentais” (a nod to the company’s cognac origins). A ten-year aging process imbues complex aromas and warm amber hues to this extra-refined brandy.
Castello di Verduno Grappa di Pelaverga 700ml
$60
Not just a renowned producer of world-class wines, Piedmont producer Castello di Verduno also produces its own spirits at a distillery in the town of Barbaresco. This grappa is made from what remains of the vinification of Pelaverga Piccolo, the native grape used to make Castello di Verduno’s popular Basadone wine. An attentive distillation process produces a clean, crystalline grappa that offers spice qualities emblematic of this rare variety.
Castello di Verduno Grappa di Nebbiolo 700ml
$60
Castello di Verduno is among the most respected and versatile wineries in the Langhe area of Piedmont. After Nebbiolo grapes are vinified for its Barbaresco and Barolo, the alcohol-rich stems and skins that remain are taken to a distillery in the town of Barbaresco to produce a rich, warm and intensely austere grappa.
For more information please call 212-725-6516 or email info@vinosite.com.
