The Moscato grape is so aromatic that it can barely hide its peach-blossom scent - even after pressing, fermentation and distillation. That character is exactly what this small bottle is about.

Expert description

Marolo Grappa Miniature di Moscato is an Italian grappa distilled from the pomace of Moscato grapes used for the popular Moscato d'Asti wine, bottled at 42% ABV in a 5 cl tasting bottle.

Moscato is one of the most recognisable grape varieties when it comes to aroma. The scent of peach blossom and grape follows all the way from the vineyard through fermentation and pressing, and Marolo gently distils the pomace in bain-marie stills to preserve as much of the natural perfume as possible.

The grappa rests in stainless steel and therefore stays clear and uncoloured, which highlights the fresh, floral character rather than adding flavour from wood.

Tasting notes

Nose

The aroma is intense and floral, with a distinct touch of muscat grape and peach blossom.

Palate

The palate is soft and aromatic, with hints of white chocolate and peach sweetness.

Finish

The finish is short and clean, with a light peppery close.

Specifications

Name: Marolo Grappa Miniature di Moscato
Distillery: Marolo
Region/Country: Piedmont, Italy
Type: Italian Grappa
ABV: 42%
Size: 5 CL
EAN no.: 609750514036
Serving suggestion: Serve cold as an aperitif or alongside light desserts

Flavour profile

Floral · Aromatic · Soft · Peachy · Light

Did you know?

The Moscato grape's aroma is so powerful that it is one of very few varieties where the grape itself is clearly recognisable in the finished grappa - most other grapes lose far more of their original aroma along the way.

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Sauvignon Blanc is known in the glass as wine for its sharp, herbaceous character. Distilled as grappa, the grape shows a different side of itself: softer, yet still carrying the same green, fresh edge.

Expert description

Grappa Nonino Sauvignon Blanc is an Italian Grappa distilled from fresh pomace of the Sauvignon Blanc grape and bottled at 41% ABV without any cask ageing.

The Nonino family has distilled in Percoto in Friuli-Venezia Giulia since 1897 and invented single-varietal grappa when Benito and Giannola Nonino distilled the pomace of a single grape variety on its own for the first time on 1 December 1973. Ever since, the family has kept to the principle of distilling each grape variety separately, preserving its character all the way to the bottle instead of blending different grapes before distillation.

The Sauvignon Blanc pomace is collected fresh and soft from selected vineyards and ferments under vacuum in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature shortly after pressing. Distillation takes place in copper stills with head and tail cutting, so only the purest part of the distillate, the heart, ends up in the bottle. The grappa then rests for six months to a year in stainless steel before bottling without added colour.

Tasting notes

Nose

Aromatic and elegant, with notes of vanilla, freshly baked bread and elder flower.

Palate

A touch of green pepper appears on the palate, cutting through the soft vanilla and giving the grappa a fresh, almost sharp edge.

Finish

The finish is dry and lightly spiced, with the green pepper lingering briefly before fading away completely.

Specifications

Name: Grappa Nonino Sauvignon Blanc
Distillery: Nonino
Region/Country: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
Type: Italian Grappa
ABV: 41%
Size: 70 cl
Distillation method: 100% distilled with artisanal method in copper stills
Serving suggestion: At about 12°C in a closed tulip glass

Flavour profile

Aromatic · Vanilla · Elder flower · Green pepper · Fresh

Did you know?

Nonino itself recommends this grappa with fish and sushi, an unusual pairing for a spirit, but a good example of how close its flavour lies to the original white wine.

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For centuries the skins and seeds of the Prosecco grape were treated as cellar waste. At Nonino they become one of the house's sunniest grappas instead, distilled the same day the grapes are pressed.

Expert description

Grappa Nonino Prosecco is an Italian Grappa distilled from fresh pomace of the Glera grape used to make Prosecco wine, bottled at 38% ABV without any cask ageing.

The Nonino family has distilled in Percoto in Friuli-Venezia Giulia since 1897 and is credited with inventing single-varietal grappa: on 1 December 1973, Benito and Giannola Nonino distilled the pomace of a single grape variety on its own for the first time. The method later spread across the whole grappa industry, but Nonino was first, and the family still personally oversees the purchase of pomace and the entire distillation process.

For this grappa, Nonino collects fresh, soft pomace of Glera grapes from selected vineyards immediately after pressing. The pomace ferments under vacuum in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature and is distilled shortly after, avoiding the off-flavours a longer fermentation would bring. The grappa then rests for six months to a year in stainless steel before bottling without added colour.

Tasting notes

Nose

Light and elegant with a touch of sweetness reminiscent of acacia blossom and ripe, golden apples.

Palate

Fresh and delicate on the palate, almost fragile in its lightness, with a gentle sweetness that never turns cloying.

Finish

The finish is short and clean, with a last hint of blossom that fades quickly and refreshingly.

Specifications

Name: Grappa Nonino Prosecco
Distillery: Nonino
Region/Country: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
Type: Italian Grappa
ABV: 38%
Size: 70 cl
Distillation method: 100% distilled with artisanal method in copper stills
Serving suggestion: At about 12°C in a closed tulip glass

Flavour profile

Floral · Acacia · Golden apple · Light sweetness · Fresh

Did you know?

The pomace of the Glera grape was historically discarded as waste from Prosecco production, until grappa producers like Nonino began distilling it into an aromatic product in its own right.

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The harvest is caught in the glass before it can become anything but pomace. The Nonino family distils the fresh vinaccia from Pinot and Malvasia grapes straight away, so the character of the whole vintage travels all the way to the bottle.

Expert description

Grappa Nonino Monovitigno Vendemmia Millesimata is an Italian Grappa distilled from fresh pomace of Pinot and Malvasia grapes and bottled at 40% ABV without any cask ageing.

The Nonino family has distilled in Percoto in Friuli-Venezia Giulia since 1897, when Orazio Nonino settled down after years of travelling with a still mounted on wheels. Today the family runs five of its own distilleries with 60 copper stills between them, and is credited as the inventor of single-varietal grappa: on 1 December 1973, Benito and Giannola Nonino distilled the pomace of a single grape variety on its own for the first time, starting with Picolit, and turned grappa's reputation as a rustic by-product on its head.

The Vendemmia range brings together several of the house's Monovitigno grappas – here Pinot and Malvasia – each distilled separately and then united in one cuvée, its label carrying the year of the harvest. The pomace is collected fresh and soft straight from winemaking and distilled within a few hours, avoiding the long fermentation that would otherwise bring off-flavours and a higher methanol content. The grappa then rests for six months to a year in stainless steel before bottling without any added colour.

Tasting notes

Nose

Soft and floral with a touch of pastry, closer to a freshly baked bun than to a traditional, sharp grappa.

Palate

Elegant and fruity on the palate, with notes of apricot, green apple and raisin gliding cleanly across the tongue.

Finish

The finish is short to medium, dry and refreshing, with a light sweetness that points back to the fresh grape.

Specifications

Name: Grappa Nonino Monovitigno Vendemmia Millesimata
Distillery: Nonino
Region/Country: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
Type: Italian Grappa
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 cl
Distillation method: 100% distilled with artisanal method in copper stills
EAN no.: 8002092015841
Serving suggestion: At about 12°C in a closed tulip glass

Flavour profile

Floral · Apricot · Green apple · Raisin · Soft pastry

Did you know?

Nonino is one of the few grappa producers to clearly state the harvest vintage on the label, a transparency the family has practised since single-varietal grappa was born in 1973.

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South of Rome, where the Trappist monks of Tre Fontane Abbey once planted eucalyptus trees to drain a marshy, malaria-ridden landscape, a distinct tradition of liqueur and grappa-making took root. In this bottle, a whole eucalyptus leaf sits visibly in the liquid.

Expert description

Tre Fontane Grappa Chardonnay All Eucalyptus is an Italian Grappa at 40% ABV, distilled from the pomace of Chardonnay grapes and flavoured with eucalyptus leaves by the Trappist monks of Abbazia delle Tre Fontane south of Rome.

The abbey's historic distillery, the Liquorificio dell'Abbazia Tre Fontane, dates back to 1873, when the monks began putting to use the eucalyptus trees they had planted around 1870 to drain the marshy, malaria-ridden land surrounding the abbey. Turning eucalyptus into liqueurs and extracts has remained part of the abbey's production ever since.

For this grappa, the monks select the pomace from Chardonnay grapes themselves, which is distilled and then infused with eucalyptus leaves from the abbey's own trees. A whole leaf is left inside the bottle as a visible mark of the method, and the result is a grappa where balsamic eucalyptus notes meet the soft, delicate character of the Chardonnay pomace.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is fresh and balsamic with clear eucalyptus, supported by a delicate, lightly floral undercurrent from the Chardonnay grape.

Palate

The palate is soft and clean with a cooling, menthol-like sensation that glides elegantly alongside the grappa's natural grape sweetness.

Finish

The finish is fresh and relatively short, with a lingering, cleansing eucalyptus note.

Specifications

Name: Tre Fontane Grappa Chardonnay All Eucalyptus
Distillery: Tre Fontane
Region/Country: Lazio, Italy
Type: Italian Grappa
ABV: 40%
Size: 50 cl
Serving suggestion: Serve chilled in a narrow glass, ideally as a digestif after a meal.

Flavour profile

Eucalyptus · Menthol · Floral · Fresh · Cleansing

Did you know?

The monks at Tre Fontane originally planted eucalyptus trees to drain the land around the abbey and combat malaria - today the same trees form the basis of the abbey's signature liqueurs and this grappa.

In a field near Kolding lies Denmark's only wine appellation, and it's also home to some of the country's most personal spirits: a clear grape brandy with a single vine sprig tucked inside the bottle as its only source of colour.

Expert description

Skærsøgaard Druebrændevin 2012 is a Danish Grape Brandy, distilled from grape pomace left over from winemaking and bottled at 40% ABV.

The bottle comes from Skærsøgaard Vin in Dons near Kolding, Denmark's first officially approved vineyard and part of the country's only protected wine region. Owned by Sven Moesgaard, the vineyard has distilled grape and fruit brandy since the mid-2000s on a 255-litre German copper still alongside its wine production.

This edition is a micro-distillate of pressed grape residue from the rondo grape, vintage 2012, with only 399 bottles filled. The brandy is not cask matured; the faint golden tint in the glass comes from a small vine sprig placed inside each bottle.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is clean and grapey, with a touch of skin-fruit character and a light, herbal freshness.

Palate

The palate is soft and aromatic, reminiscent of a young, clear grappa, with clear grape character and a light peppery warmth.

Finish

The finish is short and clean, with a last hint of grape sweetness.

Specifications

Name: Skærsøgaard Druebrændevin 2012
Distillery: Skærsøgaard Vin
Region/Country: Denmark
Type: Danish Grape Brandy
ABV: 40%
Size: 35 cl
Distilled: 2012
Number of bottles: 399
Serving suggestion: Serve chilled as a digestif or alongside a tart fruit dessert

Did you know?

Did you know that rondo, the grape behind this brandy, is a red hybrid variety bred to withstand the Danish climate, and is also used in several of Skærsøgaard's red wines?

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Some grappas are meant to be drunk fresh, while the pomace can still be traced in the aroma. This one has been left to rest quietly in the dark for more than a year and a half, while oak has slowly given it depth.

Expert description

Grappa Nonino Vendemmia Riserva Annata is an Italian Grappa aged in barriques and small casks for a minimum of 18 months and bottled at 41% ABV.

The Nonino family has distilled in Percoto in Friuli-Venezia Giulia since 1897 and invented single-varietal grappa in 1973. Vendemmia Riserva is a cuvée in which several of the house's Monovitigno grappas from one specific harvest are each distilled separately and then united into one composed grappa, a further development of the unaged Vendemmia range, where the selected distillates are instead sent on for ageing.

Ageing takes place under seal and ongoing control by the Italian customs authority in Nonino's seven ageing warehouses, which together hold 2,620 barriques and small casks of Nevers, Limousin, Grésigne and ex-sherry oak, as well as acacia, wild cherry, ash and pear wood. This Riserva rests specifically in Limousin oak and ex-sherry casks for a minimum of 18 months, after which it is bottled with no colouring added.

Tasting notes

Nose

Elegant and full, with vanilla, pastry and a hint of spice pointing straight to the cask.

Palate

Rich, velvety and enveloping on the palate, with chocolate and a warm sweetness that spreads slowly.

Finish

The finish is long and harmonious, with chocolate and vanilla fading softly right to the end.

Specifications

Name: Grappa Nonino Vendemmia Riserva Annata
Distillery: Nonino
Region/Country: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
Type: Italian Grappa
ABV: 41%
Size: 70 cl
Cask type: Limousin and ex-sherry barriques and small casks
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: 100% distilled with artisanal method in copper stills
EAN no.: 8002092015810
Serving suggestion: At room temperature in a wide balloon glass

Flavour profile

Full-bodied · Vanilla · Chocolate · Pastry · Velvety

Did you know?

Nonino's seven ageing warehouses together hold more than 2,600 barriques and small casks of Nevers, Limousin and Grésigne oak among others, plus acacia, wild cherry, ash and pear wood, where the family's aged grappas mature under the constant supervision of the customs authority.

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The Moscato grape makes one of the most perfumed grappas in the Nonino family's range. Aged in wood, the soft roundness of the barrel settles over the floral scent without smothering it.

Expert description

Grappa Nonino Moscato Barrique is an Italian Grappa distilled from fresh pomace of the Moscato grape, aged in wood, and bottled at 41% ABV.

The Nonino family has distilled in Percoto in Friuli-Venezia Giulia since 1897 and invented single-varietal grappa in 1973, when Benito and Giannola Nonino distilled the pomace of a single grape variety on its own for the first time. The family's cask-aged grappas follow the same principle as the rest of the house's "invecchiata" range: a minimum of 12 months of natural ageing in barriques and small casks under seal and ongoing control by the Italian customs authority, with no added colouring.

The Moscato pomace is collected fresh and soft from selected vineyards and ferments under vacuum in stainless steel tanks shortly after pressing. After distillation in copper stills, the grappa rests in oak casks, picking up vanilla and roundness from the wood while the Moscato grape's natural perfume of roses, thyme and vanilla is preserved.

Tasting notes

Nose

Intense and perfumed, with roses, dried thyme and a sweet, vanilla-like warmth from the cask.

Palate

Soft and round on the palate, almost sensual, with a fullness the ageing has added without drowning out the floral notes.

Finish

The finish is long and warm, with vanilla and a last hint of dried thyme fading quietly away.

Specifications

Name: Grappa Nonino Moscato Barrique
Distillery: Nonino
Region/Country: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
Type: Italian Grappa
ABV: 41%
Size: 70 cl
Cask type: Barriques and small casks
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: 100% distilled with artisanal method in copper stills
EAN no.: 80664024
Serving suggestion: At about 12°C in a closed tulip glass

Flavour profile

Perfumed · Rose · Thyme · Vanilla · Round

Did you know?

The Nonino family's unaged Moscato grappa lent its name to the cocktail "Giannola 38", created by multi-award-winning bartenders Alex Kratena and Monica Berg in honour of Giannola Nonino at the Nonino Prize 2019.

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Merlot gives dark, fruit-laden red wine, but the pomace left behind is distilled crystal clear. In the glass, none of the dark grape's colour remains, only its aroma, preserved in a pure distillate.

Expert description

Grappa Nonino Merlot is an Italian Grappa distilled from fresh pomace of the Merlot grape and bottled at 41% ABV without any cask ageing.

The Nonino family has distilled in Percoto in Friuli-Venezia Giulia since 1897 and invented single-varietal grappa when Benito and Giannola Nonino distilled the pomace of a single grape variety on its own for the first time on 1 December 1973. The family still personally handles the purchase of pomace and oversees the entire distillation process to preserve the character of each individual grape variety.

The Merlot pomace is collected fresh and soft from selected vineyards and ferments under vacuum in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature immediately after pressing, avoiding the off-flavours a slower fermentation would bring. The grappa then rests for six months to a year in stainless steel before bottling without added colour. Bartender Joerg Meyer used this exact grappa to create the cocktail "Merlot Mojito" for Bar Convent Berlin, an Italian twist on the classic.

Tasting notes

Nose

Soft and round, with a clear touch of rose petals and the stones of ripe cherries.

Palate

Crystalline and round on the palate, with no sharp edges, showing a fruity freshness reminiscent of freshly pressed must.

Finish

The finish is soft and medium in length, with the scent of rose petals lingering quietly in the background.

Specifications

Name: Grappa Nonino Merlot
Distillery: Nonino
Region/Country: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
Type: Italian Grappa
ABV: 41%
Size: 70 cl
Distillation method: 100% distilled with artisanal method in copper stills
EAN no.: 80543176
Serving suggestion: At about 12°C in a closed tulip glass

Flavour profile

Round · Rose petals · Cherry stone · Soft · Fruity

Did you know?

Nonino itself recommends pouring a couple of spoonfuls of this grappa over a risotto right after toasting the rice, or into the pan halfway through roasting meat, an old kitchen tradition from Friuli.

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Since 1973, the Sommeliers collection has set the standard for what a spirits glass can do for the aroma in the glass. This edition is shaped specifically for grappa - and nothing else.

Expert description

Riedel Sommeliers Grappa 4200/03 is a handmade crystal glass from the Sommeliers collection, designed specifically for grappa and marc.

The glass belongs to Riedel's Sommeliers collection, introduced by Claus J. Riedel in 1973 as the world's first glass series designed to highlight the character of individual drinks. Every glass in the collection is handmade from crystal glass following the same principles still used today under Maximilian J. Riedel.

The grappa glass has an egg-shaped bowl with a narrowed rim that holds onto the grappa's volatile aromas and softens the sharp alcohol sensation. The result is that floral and fruity notes reach the nose instead of raw spirit.

Specifications

Name: Riedel Sommeliers Grappa
Manufacturer: Riedel
Material: Crystal glass, handmade
Suitable for: Grappa and marc
Number in set: 1 piece
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Size/volume: 110 ml, height 20 cm

Did you know?

Did you know that the Sommeliers collection from 1973 was the world's first glass series where every single glass was shaped for one specific drink instead of being a single all-purpose glass?

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