Grappa - Spirit of the year

The final days of the year are made for rankings!
Let's start the day by electing the Spirit of 2022: Grappa.
This all-Italian spirit, the oldest and most traditional one produced mainly in Northern Italy, is obtained by distilling the solid parts of the grape, called pomace.
There are several types of Grappa's: single variety (from a single variety of vine, for example the Amarone grappa) or plurivarietal (produced from different vines, such as the Moscato grappa or Nebbiolo).
These are then distinguished according to ageing: young (which do not require aging in wood, but only a passage in steel or glass containers) or aged grappas (often defined respectively dry or soft) and then to flavor: natural or flavored (when at the end of distillation one or more essences such as aromatic herbs, flowers, fruit or roots are added).

Among the most popular ones, the Grappa Barricata and the Grappa Bianca. The latter is decanted within steel or glass containers, thus the original grape aromas remain quite recognizable. It is colourless, fruity and dry.
The Grappa Barricata ages in oak, chestnut, ash- or almondtree barriques for at least 12 months, displaying spicy aromas such as cocoa, tobacco, vanilla, leather and dried fruit. The oak ageing deepens the colour and provides more softness and smoothness to it.

Grappa is our favorite spirit this year as the perfect ending to a fine dinner.