Mazzetti d'Altavilla - Grappa di MoscatoNV

WHITE LIQUOR

Background

Grappa is a traditionally Italian spirit distilled from all the solid matter left over from wine making. That includes all the grape skins, seeds, stems, everything. Grappa is usually very high proof, above 40%, and has a somewhat justified reputation as firewater because, you know, it’s really alcoholic. It takes about 100 kg of moist, fresh pomace produces about 9 to 10 liters of Grappa.

But it also has a soft and subtle side that craft distillers pull from even the ugliest purple mashes leftover from the winery. These are still very high proof but they exalt the flavors in the grapes. Unlike aggressively name controlled wines like Champagne or spirits like Tequila or Mezcal, Grappa can also be made in the United States where many winemakers and distillers are finding great success.

Description

Mazzetti d'Altavilla is a historic grappa factory of Piedmont which, since 1846, has distilled only grape marc produced in this land, coming from the noblest grapes of Piedmont, including Barolo and Barbaresco. The close link with its land is one of the core values of the company's philosophy.

Mazzetti d'Altavilla, now in its seventh generation, is situated in the small village of Altavilla Monferrato (in the province of Alessandria) in the heart of Piedmont's hills. The production is carried out from the main product, that is grappa, in its different variants: ‘young’ grappa, ‘aged’ grappa, and Reserve. Altogether, fifteen vineyards of Piedmont are distilled separately in order to create the single varietal grappa.

Tasting notes

Nose: Intense and round which is characteristic of the grape.
Palate: Balanced and aromatic with hints of a special mix of flowers, fruits and herbs (sage, roses, violets and peach).