Fratelli Giannandrea Grappa Invecchiata (700ml)

In Italy, Grappa production historically centered in the North above a line going from Venezia to Genoa. There were good reasons for this. Here, in the cooler wine regions relatively close to the Alps, unspoiled, fresh pomace, integral to quality Grappa was easier to source. Today, thanks to enological advances allowing pomace to be kept under inert conditions during transport, it's produced in every Italian wine region. Grappa's increasing popularity has also been driven by technological advances in distillation, specifically from the 19th century onwards, during which the term 'Grappa' became associated with specific production methods. The rise in quality led to the setting up of protected designations of origin, with Italy counting ten.

Not surprisingly, Grappa is produced in many guises, with regional specifity often associated with particular grape varietals, like Nebbiolo or Brachetto. They may be aged in glass only, when a fresher, more vibrant style is desired, but they can also undergo a maturation process in different types of wood.

In this case, 'Grappa Invecchiata' or Vecchia refers to spirits aged between 12 and 18 months in oak, bestowing a deep golden colour. 40% Alc./Vol.