Grappa Question?!
Answers: I am going to be getting some grappa wine for my roommate for Christmas this year. He is quite knowledgable about Italian food, being a cook, and culture and I didn't want to dissapoint him with some low quality product. Anyways, I have been looking around and saw a brand called Nonino, but their website isn't very helpfull in deciding what product to get him. If someone with knowledge about grappa wines could point me in the right direction I would be very thankfull. Not only was I looking for the brand, but also help with the perticular grappa. Thankyou very much and have a great holiday season!
Liqueurs & Grappa
Several liquors unique to Sicily are worthy of mention. Ala, made by Florio, has a distinct flavor, as does Averna, which is made in Caltanissetta. Fichera, a newcomer, is made near Mount Etna. There are also several mildly fortified almond-flavored white wines which, though not suitable for every occasion, go well with some desserts. Several Sicilian liqueurs are similar to those produced on the mainland, namely limoncello, from lemons, anisette and amaretto. There are others, such as the interesting liqueur made from prickly pears (cactus fruits) and Cynar (from artichokes). Grappa is actually a brandy distilled from grape seeds and pomace. Dry and high in alcohol, it is usually white and served as an after dinner drink. In Italy, grappa is often sold in artistically original clear glass bottles which the distillers commission specially for this liquor.
Best Grappa
Grappa Alexander If your last encounter with grappa left you breathing fire, you might be pleased to know that the people at Distilleria Bottega, north of Venice, don't consider you a wimp. No, they take the contrarian view that grappa drinking should not be a life-threatening event. Not only do they distill Grappa Alexander twice, for a rounder, softer flavor, but they also dilute it to an amiable 40 percent alcohol (some sadistic brands go as high as a throat-torching 50 percent). The result is a very approachable spirit with crisp fall-fruit flavors like Cortland apples and Bosc pears ($33 to $90).
You should get him some prosecco, it's Ital ian sparkling wine and just perfect for the holidays. He could even pop it open on New Year's Eve!