Levi Serafino Grappa Cio che sottovoce 1991 Romano Levi - Unique bottle 5 - 75 cl 51%

Some of Romano Levi's bottles carried names that read more like half-finished poems than product descriptions. 'Ciò che sottovoce' - roughly, 'that which is said in a hushed voice' - is one of the most poetic, and its contents date back to 1991, long before the bottle became a rarity.

Expert description

Levi Serafino Grappa Cio che sottovoce 1991 is an Italian Grappa at 51% ABV, distilled and bottled by Romano Levi at Distilleria Levi Serafino in Neive, Piedmont, in 1991.

The name 'Ciò che sottovoce' is typical of Romano Levi's poetic approach to his craft. Rather than technical descriptions, he often gave his grappas evocative, unfinished-sounding titles, which he followed up with handwritten dedications and poems on the back labels of the bottles. This style made him far more than just a distiller in the public eye.

Romano Levi took over the distillery in Neive in 1945 at the age of 17, after his father Serafino had died and his mother had been killed during the war, and ran the business until his own death in 2008. He distilled using a direct-fire alembic, a method now almost extinct in Italy, and was nicknamed the 'angelic grappa maker' by Luigi Veronelli. The distillery continues today on a limited scale under new ownership.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is floral and slightly rustic, with notes of dried herbs, honey cake and a hint of smoke from the direct-fire distillation.

Palate

The palate is full and round with a warm sweetness reminiscent of caramelised grapes, balanced by a lightly bitter, earthy undercurrent.

Finish

The finish is long and gentle, with a lasting warmth and a trace of dried flowers that lingers well after the last sip.

Specifications

Name: Levi Serafino Grappa Cio che sottovoce 1991 Romano Levi - Unika flaske 5
Distillery: Levi Serafino
Region/Country: Piedmont, Italy
Type: Italian Grappa
ABV: 51%
Size: 75 cl
Distillation method: Direct-fire alembic
Bottled: 1991
Serving suggestion: Serve at room temperature in a narrow grappa glass, ideally on its own and unhurried.

Flavour profile

Floral · Honey cake · Caramelised grape · Earthy bitterness · Gentle warmth

Investment potential

This bottle belongs to the final decades of production made by Romano Levi's own hand, and since he personally distilled and wrote his poetic labels, no new bottle can ever replace the ones already in existence. That makes vintages like this one sought after among collectors of Italian grappa history.

Did you know?

Romano Levi wrote his final label on the evening of 1 May 2008, shortly before his death, which for many collectors marks the symbolic end of an era in Italian grappa craftsmanship.

Frequently asked questions about Levi Serafino Grappa Cio che sottovoce 1991 Romano Levi

Is a poetically named Levi Serafino bottle worth seeking out?

The title 'Ciò che sottovoce' is typical of Romano's personal style, where every bottle combined craftsmanship with poetry. That historical rarity makes bottles like this one particularly sought after among collectors.

What does the title 'Ciò che sottovoce' mean?

It is Italian for something like 'that which is said in a hushed voice' - one of the evocative, unfinished-sounding titles Romano Levi often gave his grappas.

Why do Romano Levi's bottles have poetic names rather than technical descriptions?

Romano saw himself as much as a craftsman as a poet, and his handwritten labels often combined poems, dedications and evocative imagery with the purely technical information.

How should the bottle best be stored?

Upright, cool and dark, so both the grappa and the handwritten label hold up as well as possible over time.

Are there other bottles with the same name?

Romano Levi often reused evocative titles across several vintages, but every bottle carries its own unique, handwritten label and its own bottling year.

Can Romano Levi's distillery be visited today?

Yes, the distillery in Neive continues to operate on a limited scale and can be visited, as can the town's museum dedicated to Romano Levi and his art.