Grappa is distilled from grapes.
The area for grappa is Bassano del Grappa.
Bassano del Grappa has two distilleries.
One, Poli, is over the bridge and up the hill. It faces as one comes off the old wooden bridge.
Poli distils from two grape varieties, Merlot and Pinot. The basic ingredient is the mush or pomace left over from making wine.
Grappa is usually served as a digestivo or after-dinner drink. It is served in a specially shaped glass.
I had my first taste of grappa on my first night in Bassano del Grappa, when I ate at Ristorante Alla Corte and after dinner Roberto poured me a glass. I then spent the rest of the night politely sipping.
I liked it not.
Grappa has protected status. It may only be produced in Italy, or in the Italian part of Switzerland, or in San Marino. It may only be made from pomace, not grape juice. There can be no added water.
A contemporary cultural reference to grappa can be found in The Fire, the sequel to The Eight.
Synchronicity: I was given The Fire whilst I was in Bassano del Grappa.
Tags: Bassano del Grappa, grapes, grappa, Poli, wine
March 31, 2012 at 2:13 pm |
I tried grappa for the first time in Sweden … when I was at a “italian” party. I did not like it …. maybe if I try one more time I will like it 😉
March 31, 2012 at 5:52 pm |
Once is more than sufficient! And I tried the best, from Poli.
November 5, 2013 at 10:01 pm |
Dear Sir: I saw a grappa glass as you shown in your blog many years ago in Rome at Vittorio Enmanuelle Hotel; I always have been interesting to by a set of 6; but I never found it. Would you please let me know where you bought it?
Thank you, Federico
November 5, 2013 at 10:24 pm |
The grappa glass as you call it, was not mine, it was the glass in which I was served grappa at Ristorante Alla Corte.
You will need to go to Bassano del Grappa, where grappa is distilled.
Close by the bridge over the river, Ponte Vecchio, is an old distillery, now a museum.