Distilleria Gualco, Grappa Stravecchia 2022

Grower: Distilleria Gualco
Region: Piedmont, Italy
Grape Varietals: Dolcetto d'Ovada
Viticulture: Sustainable
Category: Spirit, Brandy, Grappa
Size: 750ml

Founded in 1870, Distilleria Gualco has been a family-run enterprise for over 4 generations. The system for producing Distilleria Gualco’s grappa employs a bain-marie pot still. Using a bain-marie, or water bath, means that the pot of the grape pomace is not heated directly by fire but surrounded by another pot of boiling water. This has the advantage of heating the grapes gently, preventing the grappa from taking on any smoky or burnt flavors and allowing slow steam distillation that retains the wine-like characteristics of the grape skins. The fuel used to heat the stills is composed of the very same expended grape skins used to produce the grappa itself. Distinct in both Italy and the world of grappa at large, Gualco’s batch distillation plant is visited by grappa enthusiasts the world over.

This Dolcetto d’Ovada grappa is aged for 3 years in 1000-litre oak tonneaux. As these barrels are rather large, three years of ageing brings out the complexity and smoothness of the distilled product without drastically increasing the presence of tannins from the wood. The resulting grappa is fruit-forward, with a deep amber color. Spice and dried stone fruit abound!