A true Italian cannot imagine a home holiday or a family evening without a bottle of fragrant and strong grappa, also known as Italian grape vodka. Grappa drink is traditional for Italy, it began to be produced after mastering the technology of wine distillation. At first, vodka was considered exclusively a peasant drink, but later it reached the doges. Subsequently, the grappa drink became a kind of symbol of Italian winemaking and in many respects meets the traditions of the peninsula and the mentality of the Italians themselves.
Drink origin
When exactly the Italian grape vodka appeared, is unknown. At first, its manufacture was a rational source for the disposal of waste from winemaking - squeezing berries, seeds, tails. Later, the grappa drink began to be profitable, the raw materials, previously considered waste, became a source of money and later even acquired its own name - marc (French). The drink was driven especially for peasants, but it appealed to the mass consumer and was launched along with wines in production.
The homeland of Italian grape vodka is the city of Bassano del Grappa, on the slope of Mount Grappa. Now the drink is delivered worldwide and is considered status. Grappa also found its place among the collection wines , as it retains notes of the specific grape variety from which it was made. Among tourists, a drink is one of the most popular souvenirs. However, the most popular Italian grape vodka has earned in numerous provincial towns throughout Italy and is the most widely consumed type of alcohol.
Vodka or brandy?
Paradoxically, Italian grape vodka is in fact a drink comparable to brandy. The recipe for vodka is in many ways similar to the home-brewing procedure and corresponds to the standards of this drink, that is, fortresses of the order of 45-50 degrees. Sommeliers and winemakers are still arguing about where grappa should be attributed, since it is distinctive and unique in production. Many households do not disclose the recipe for vodka, in Italy there are even competitions between manufacturing cities.
Grappa, she or brandy, absorbs the taste and aroma of the grape variety that became the basis for the drink. Young grappa, whose age is not even a year old, really looks like ordinary moonshine, has a high strength, sharp taste, transparent color and bright aroma. A more aged drink casts in a rich amber color, has a mild taste with pronounced notes of flowers, berries and jasmine, is easy to drink, does not contain a harsh aroma of ethyl and really more resembles a good brandy.
How to make vodka grappa?
In many ways, the production of Italian grape vodka does not differ from that in the CIS. The raw materials are grape marc. For more prestigious grappa species, those marc extracts that contain up to 40% grape juice are chosen, a few seeds are added. Initially, the vodka recipe included all the waste, but later production became cleaner. The raw materials are fermented and then aged from 3 to 18 months, depending on the grape variety, classification and preferences of the buyer. Oak is used as a material for barrels, then grappa vodka gets a rich amber color.
Age matters
The older the grappa, the brighter and richer its taste. The question of how to make vodka, in many respects depends precisely on what kind of speech is involved. For young vodka, barrels can be made of metal, since special aging is not required. This is allowed by mass manufacturers. Households, family enterprises that own small vineyards, prefer to adhere to the old vodka recipe and do not depart from it.
Varieties of Vodka
There are several varieties of grappa, from cheaper options that are almost indistinguishable from ordinary vodka, except for a grape flavor, to a status drink that is worthy to take a place even in the most exquisite wine collection. Grappa is divided according to this classification:
- Giovane (bianco), Italian grape vodka, the name of which literally means “white” or “transparent” - the youngest drink, is appreciated for its low cost, but has a sharp taste, so we dislike sommelier.
- Affinata in legno - this drink is aged in oak barrels for at least 6 months.
- Invecchiata - according to collectors, grape vodka, the most affordable in terms of price and quality, is aged for a whole year, has a mild flavor, but not as pronounced as that of affinata in legno, which is considered a more feminine drink.
- Stravecchia, literally “old” - the most seasoned Italian vodka, this drink is stored for 18 months, has a rich amber color and a very spicy aroma of grapes and spices.
Bright aroma
Depending on the variety, the product is also divided into the following types:
- Aromatica, contains about 60% of one grade grape waste - Muscatel or Prosecco. A very aromatic drink that is closer to wine than to vodka.
- Aromatizzata, unlike the usual, appeared in southern Italy, a region rich in fruit trees. The drink is infused with fruit, as well as fruit cake. It has a bright, light aftertaste and a more delicate aftertaste.
- Monovitigno - Italian vodka, which contains more than 80% of the cake from one variety, due to which the taste of the drink becomes brighter, more common in the north, which is why sourness prevails in the taste palette.
In addition, grappa is divided according to the region of manufacture, as each household adds something of its own to the vodka recipe. Muscat varieties have a brighter sweet flavor, white varieties - sour. But regardless of this, a good grappa always leaves behind an almond aftertaste.
Useful properties and taste palette
Like wine products, grappa has antiseptic, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. With moderate consumption, Italian grape vodka is able to improve blood circulation, improve the functioning of the central nervous system and promote the outflow of bile from the body. Of course, for consumption, it is better to choose more seasoned types of drink, their taste is softer and richer in taste in the palette.
The taste of vodka depends on the variety, which became the basis for production. Grappa is more acidic in the north and sweeter and more spicy in the south. In France, they make their own analogue of the drink, which has a viscous flavor of spices and is made from darker grape varieties. Initially, grappa was used as an original product, which was served both to fish and meat. Later, it became the basis for a number of recipes for hot dishes, including pickled meat. Now it is used even in cocktails, where it replaces ordinary vodka.
How to drink grappa in Italian?
In modern Italy, the drink is served as a digestive, that is, “aftertaste”, at the end of the main meal. In this case, it replaces the usual dessert wine. For more affordable grappa types, there is a universal drinking formula - serve chilled without mixing. In this case, the taste of ethyl will be less noticeable, and the taste of grapes will begin to prevail in the palette. More status types of vodka are served at room temperature, without any snack, so that a person can fully appreciate the taste of the drink and its aftertaste.
It is noteworthy that vodka is served in special glasses, which are called so-called glasses for grappa (grappaglass). They have the shape of a tulip, with a narrower neck so that the aroma of the drink is more noticeable. Traditionally, before serving it is slightly cooled, the glass is filled in two-thirds, served to all guests on the same dish. They drink the drink, as well as good wine - savoring both taste and aroma, holding the glass exclusively by the leg. After this, the owner is thanked for the meal. It is extremely impolite to leave unfinished vodka in a glass - this is a sign of disrespect for the owner.
Part of the tradition
Italians have an interesting tradition, which is literally called "wash the cup." According to her, the drink is poured into espresso cups, thanks to which the remnants of coffee are washed off. As a result of this, there was a fashion to add grape vodka to black coffee. Italians do not consider grappa too strong, and therefore drink it as an aperitif, at lunchtime and even in the afternoon. This is a unique product, which, like whiskey or brandy, has become a kind of visiting card of the country. Grape vodka remains one of the most successful gifts as a souvenir from Italy, and therefore has gained considerable popularity not only in the West, but also in the CIS countries. This drink is worth a try!