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Red
750ml
Bottle: $27.00
The nose develops an intensity of violet and wild berries aromas. The mousse is fair and creamy, with a dry yet full...
12 FREE
Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $26.40
12 bottles: $22.80
Aged in oak for 12 months, this golden grappa edges close to aged brandy territory—although one sip and that grappa...
WE
89
Case only
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $24.33
Testacalda is a pure Lambrusco di Sorbara Spumante Metodo Classico made with the ancient and traditional method of...
Spirits
375ml
Bottle: $29.94
Grappa is unaged pomace brandy made from highly aromatic Finger Lakes grapes. We crush and ferment the entire grape...
12 FREE
Case only
Spirits
375ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $28.50
Delightful and floral on the nose, evoking aromas of Chamomile tea and honey. Light, smooth and delicate on the...
Case only
Spirits
375ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $29.64
The aroma is complex with layers of hay, grass, and fresh flowers. The flavor profile is semisweet with grapey and...
UBC
92
Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $23.60
6 bottles: $22.40
Nose: Generous, rich and characteristic. Palate: Full, rich and tannic with hints of flowers, fruits and spice...
Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $26.94
6 bottles: $26.40
A classic Grappa from Barolo produced from 100% Nebbiolo skins. It rests in oak barrels from two to five years to add...
12 FREE
Sale
Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $23.94 $25.20
Nose: Intense and round which is characteristic of the grape. Palate: Balanced and aromatic with hints of a mixture...
Sale
Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $22.42 $23.60
6 bottles: $22.40
Nose: Intense and round which is characteristic of the grape. Palate: Balanced and aromatic with hints of a special...
Red
750ml
Bottle: $21.94
12 bottles: $21.50
12 FREE
Sale
Red
3.0Ltr
Bottle: $23.37 $24.60
4 bottles: $15.00

Grappa Lambrusco

Like so many of the great spirits of Europe, Grappa was born from a need to make resources go that little bit further, to eke out the last drop of flavor and potential from the crops of winemakers. Indeed, Italian vintners invented Grappa as a way to make use of the pomace - leftover grape skins, stems, pulp and seeds - which remained after the juice was extracted from the fruit needed to make wine. Over the centuries, the process was refined, and the distillation of Grappa became an art in itself. Today, top Grappa producers use a range of state of the art equipment, from continuous stills to pot stills, to manufacture a wide variety of Grappas, each with their own distinct characteristics.


Most of us know Grappa from our local Italian restaurants, where it is commonly served as a digestif. However, in the twenty first century, there is a high interest in unique, boutique Grappas, which showcase the talent of the distillers through a range of interesting qualities. Grappa can be aged in oak, in which case it takes on a beautiful golden color, quite different from the clear Grappas we are most familiar with. The high end Grappas are a world away from the harsh spirit many of us have encountered, and have a smooth, gentle quality which can be nothing short of a revelation.

Some grape species are distinct and unique varietals, clearly separate from each of their cousins. Others, like Lambrusco and Muscat, are more like umbrella terms, featuring several subspecies which show slight differences from each other from region to region. Indeed, there are astonishingly more than 60 identified varieties of Lambrusco vines, and they are almost all used in the production of characterful Italian sparkling wines. They are distinguishable by their deep ruby blush, caused by strong pigments present in their skins, and their intensely perfumed character.


Lambrusco vines are grown in several Italian regions, although we most closely associate this varietal with Piedmont and Basilicata. It has also been grown successfully in Argentina and Australia. The varietal suffered from a fairly lowly reputation in the late 20th century, due to bulk, low cost production of Lambrusco sparkling wines, aimed at markets across northern Europe and America. However, things are rapidly changing, and the older, more traditional methods of bottle fermentation are returning, along with a higher level of quality and expression, as consumers become more discerning and demanding. Many of the Lambrusco sub-varieties have their own established DOC, such as Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce, Lambrusco di Sorbara and Modena, where new regulations are keeping standards high and methods traditional.