Random Grappa Facts

Question 1

This denotes a grappa which is bottled soon after production and which has not been stored or kept in wooden containers.

Answer 1

Giovane (young) or bianca (white)

Question 2

What are the characteristics of Giovane grappas?

Answer 2

They have no color, they have a delicate aroma as well as a dry and clean taste.

Question 3

This denotes a grappa which is bottled after having been aged for a period not longer than 12 months in wooden containers.

Answer 3

Affinata (aged)

Question 4

This denotes a grappa which is bottled after having been aged for a period of time from 12 to 18 months in wooden containers

Answer 4

invecchiata or vecchia

Question 5

This denotes a grappa which is bottled after having been aged for longer than 18 months

Answer 5

Stravecchia or riserva

Question 6

This denotes a grappa which is produced with aromatic or semi-aromatic grapes

Answer 6

aromatica

Question 7

What are four examples of aromatic grapes used to make grappa?

Answer 7

Muscat blanc, Gewurztraminer, Muller Thurgau, Malvasia

Question 8

This denotes a grappa which is produced with the pomace of a single variety of grape

Answer 8

Monovitigno (mono-varietal)

Question 9

This denotes a grappa produced with the pomace of many varieties of grapes

Answer 9

Polivitigno (poly-varietal)

Question 10

This denotes a grappa that has been mixed with one or more aromatic vegetal essences

Answer 10

Aromatizzata (aromatized)

Question 11

What is grappa?

Answer 11

A brandy made from grapes’ pommace.

Question 12

How is grappa produced?

Answer 12

By distilling fermented pomace which has been used to produce wine.

Question 13

How does grappa differ from Cognac?

Answer 13

They are both brandies, however grappa is made by distilling solid matter.

Question 14

What are the four ways in which grappa is categorized?

Answer 14

Age, type of aging technique, grape or grapes used to produce it, the vegetal essences used to aromatize it

Question 15

Can every category of grappa be combined with others to create a specific classification of grappa (e.g. grappa monovitigno riserva?

Answer 15

Yes

Question 16

According to Italian Law, what is the permissible range of ABV for grappa?

Answer 16

38% - 60%

Question 17

What is “virgin” pomace?

Answer 17

Pomace used for the making of white wine, which is not macerated in the must during alcoholic fermentation.

Question 18

Why is white wine pomace called “virgin” pomace?

Answer 18

They are rich in sugars and have no alcohol. They must be fermented before distillation.

Question 19

How does a grappa maker weed out unwanted substances in a grappa?

Answer 19

By scrupulously controlling the temperature while heating the pomace to be distilled. Different substances have different boiling points and thus can be isolated at specific temperatures.

Question 20

What do grappa makers call the process of eliminating unwanted substances?

Answer 20

Cutting heads and tails.

Question 21

What are the desirable substances distilled from pomace called?

Answer 21

The heart.

Question 22

Why is it necessary to add distilled or demineralized water at the end of the distillation process?

Answer 22

The ABV will be around 60 to 75%.

Question 23

What is the last step in the distillation of grappa before aging?

Answer 23

Filtering. The addition of water will turn the liquid cloudy, and it will need to be filtered. Filtration also removes some more unwanted substances.

Question 24

How is the filtration step made easier?

Answer 24

By chilling the grappa to a very low temperature.