Solera Style Grappa ---- Northern Italian Trendetter -Segnana Solera Grappa

I am trying to become more familiar with Grappa. As a full-time Italophile; it is my duty. Maybe like some of you I have only had the cheap stuff that tastes like rocket fuel or rubbing alcohol. My horizons were broadened and my palate updated when I tried the Mauro chamomile Grappa and the Nonino Chardonnay Grappa. These are smooth and elegant distilled drinks. I had no idea that Grappa could be so sophisticated. When I was in Italy a few years ago, my boyfriend and I saw this Segnana Solera Grappa in the duty free of Milan. We were going to give it to my father who has a penchant for scotch, but we had to open it to sample... and then we decided to keep it for ourselves! Sorry Dad!

This Grappa is from the region of Trentino in the North of Italy. It's an area famous for Pinot Nero, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Bianco in terms of wine. made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. Regionally speaking, it is the home of the craggy Dolomites, outdoor sport, Speck, and German speaking Italians. About 35% of the people in this region (officially Trentino/Alto-Adige) speak German and 60% speak Italian. The missing 5%? Ladin; a romance language - spoken in this area and is similar to some of the other mountain languages of Switzerland and Fruili.

GRAPPA 101 - The facts
(1) Produced in Italy
(2) Produced from pomace
(3) The fermentation and distillation must occur on the pomace. No water can be added

Grappa is from the word"grape stalk", most Grappa is made by distilling pomace and grape residue. This is mainly the skins, but also stems and seeds left over after pressing for wine. It was originally made to prevent waste by using leftovers at the end of the wine season. All Grappa is not created equal - and just like wine, different grapes are used. The flavor and style of grappa depends on the type and quality of the grape used as well as the specifics of the distillation process. Grappa was also said to have first been made in Trentino/ Alto-Adige.

What makes this grappa from Segnana different is that the employ a sort of Solera method. I know we've been learning a lot in this entry - distillation, grappa regulations, new regions... The Solera system is from Jerez in Spain where they make sherry. Basically is a system that takes from several different barrels at several stages of aging. It's a little complicated, but what it ensures is that you will always have some older more matured wine or liquid with some younger wines and then the barrels are always being replenished. It makes for an excellent flow chart. Segnana ages the Grappa made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in oak casks and then they use this Solera system to blend the Grappa and give it a certain depth and maturity.

copper still for Grappa production

color: amber, medium caramel

nose: sea salt caramel, vanilla, oak

palate: full bodied, spice, delicate