Grappa is a strong alcoholic drink that is made by distilling grape pressed products. The prototype of this strong drink is moonshine, but in the case of grappa, endurance and patience are required. Before you try this drink, you need to familiarize yourself with how to properly serve and drink it.
A bit of history
Previously, Italian winemakers, in order not to throw away the extracts that were formed during the production of wine, prepared mash from them. In doing so, they used not only grape skins, but also seeds and twigs. Then the brew was distilled, later used as an alcoholic drink for workers or for the preparation of medicinal tinctures. Over time, winegrowers discovered that a persistent drink is no worse than other spirits, and therefore can be profitable. This production was put on stream.
Winemakers from the Italian city, which is located at the foot of Mount Grappa, were the first to make the drink. Hence the name of this elite today moonshine arose. To make a drink elite, you need to be patient and work hard, because the best grappa varieties are aged in cherry or oak barrels from six months to six years.
The strength of grappa ranges from 40-50 ° C. Depending on the aging, the drink can have a color from transparent (at the initial stage of distillation) to dark amber (after aging for five years in an oak barrel).
Grappa glasses and serving temperature
For serving grappa, it is recommended to use special tulip-shaped glasses, which have a peculiar name grappaglas. If you cannot find similar dishes in the store, then you can pour grappa into ordinary cognac glasses. A drink aged for up to two years should be cooled to a temperature of 5-10 ° C before serving. Aged grappa should be drunk at room temperature, then the drink will fully reveal its entire bouquet of aromas.
Strong astringency, harshness and imbalance are indicative of poor quality grappa.
How to drink grappa properly
The glass should be three-quarters full of grappa. Start the tasting by assessing the clarity of the drink, it should not contain sediment. Take a sip of a little grappa, hold it in your mouth for a few seconds. The aftertaste of the drink is especially important, which attracts connoisseurs of elite alcohol. A few seconds after a sip, you will taste notes of peach, vanilla, almond, pepper and hazelnuts.
Grappa is drunk in small sips and in its pure form. It is not recommended to mix it with other drinks and make cocktails. Therefore, take care of a suitable snack beforehand. Many dishes are combined with this unique drink (as is the case with vodka). To organize an Italian-style table, serve dark chocolate, ice cream, coffee, fruit with grappa.
