Grappa Stravecchia Anniversario

Grappa Stravecchia Anniversario celebrates six generations of the Dolzan family at Villa de Varda in Trentino, northern Italy. It is distilled entirely from the skins of air-dried Nosiola, a rare local white grape from the Valle dei Laghi, then aged at length in barrels of oak, acacia and cherry wood. The nose brings raisins, tangerine jam, candied citrus and pastry, with vanilla and coffee behind. The palate is very smooth and rich, with a long finish. It comes in a gift box with a book on the family history. Delivered across Ontario.

The producer

The Dolzan family have distilled grappa since the first half of the 1800s, when their forebear Romedio handed two stills on to his son Michele. Six generations on, they still work in small batches with their own de Varda method.

The vineyards

100% Nosiola, a rare white grape from the Valle dei Laghi in Trentino. The grapes are air dried before pressing.

How it's made

The dried Nosiola skins are gently pressed and distilled straight after racking, still moist, using the de Varda batch method. The grappa then ages at length in barriques of oak, acacia and cherry wood.

How it tastes

It is an intense amber with golden-yellow highlights. The nose is fine and deep, with raisins, tangerine jam, candied citrus, dry pastry and flowers, plus spicy notes of vanilla and coffee. The palate is very smooth and rich, with strong aroma and great length.

How to serve it

Pour it slowly after dinner, perhaps with a good cigar and the family history book that comes in the box. Serve at 18 to 20°C.