Description
The Grappa Piemontese or Grappa del Piemonte Geographical Indication is reserved exclusively for grape marc spirits obtained from the distillation of very well-preserved raw materials deriving from grapes produced and vinified in the Piedmont region, and processed and bottled in establishments located in the same region.
Production Area
The production area of Grappa Piemontese GI or Grappa del Piemonte GI is within the entire territory of the Piedmont region.
Production Method
Grappa Piemontese GI or Grappa del Piemonte GI is obtained through the distillation of fermented or semi-fermented grape marc, either directly with water vapour or after water has been added to the alembic still. The use of natural liquid wine lees is permitted up to a maximum of 25 kg per 100 kg of grape marc. The quantity of alcohol derived from the lees can be no higher than 35% of the total quantity of alcohol in the finished product. The natural liquid wine lees can be used in the following ways: by adding them to the grape marc before distillation; by removing the alcohol from both the grape marc and lees at the same time and then distilling the mixture of the two phlegms, or alcohol vapours; by removing the alcohol from the grape marc and lees separately and then immediately distilling the mixture of the two phlegms. These operations must take place in the same distillery the grappa is produced in. The distillation of the fermented or semi-fermented grape marc, whether batch or continuous, must be carried out at less than 86% ABV. The obtained product can only be redistilled within this limit. The following ingredients can be added during the production process of Grappa Piemontese GI or Grappa del Piemonte GI: - aromatic plants or fruit (or parts of them) required by traditional production methods; - sugars, up to a maximum of 20 g per litre, expressed in invert sugar; - caramel, only for grappas that have been aged for at least 12 months, according to current European and national regulations. Grappa Piemontese GI or Grappa del Piemonte GI can be aged in wooden barrels, vats or other wooden recipients. The terms Vecchia or Invecchiata can be used in the presentation and promotion of grappas which have been aged in unvarnished, uncoated wooden barrels, vats or other wooden recipients for a minimum of 12 months, subjected to rigorous controls, in establishments situated within the Lombardy region, while the terms Riserva or Stravecchia can only be used for grappas aged at least 18 months.
Additional specifications
The Grappa Piemontese or Grappa del Piemonte Geographical Indication may be completed with a reference to: – the name of a grape variety if it has been obtained through the distillation of raw materials deriving entirely, in terms of weight, from the vinification of grapes belonging to said variety (other grape varieties can make up a maximum of 15% of the weight); – the names of no more than two grape varieties if it has been obtained through the distillation of raw materials deriving entirely from the vinification of grapes belonging to said varieties (however, varieties that make up less than 15% of the weight cannot be specified); – the name of a PDO or PGI (DOC, DOCG, IGT) wine if the raw materials derive from the grapes used to produce said wine (however, the use of the PDO or PGI, or DOC, DOCG, IGT, symbols or lettering, in either abbreviated or full form, is not permitted). The use of the name “Barolo” of the “Grappa di Barolo” Geographical Indication is also not permitted; – the distillation method, continuous or batch, and type of alembic still used. The bain-marie alembic still can be referred to as the “bagnomaria Piemontese”.
Product Characteristics
Grappa Piemontese GI or Grappa del Piemonte GI is obtained exclusively through the batch distillation of fermented grape marc, either directly with water vapour or after water has been added to the alembic still. and can be aged in unvarnished, uncoated wooden recipients. Grappa Piemontese GI or Grappa del Piemonte GI can only be released for consumption with a minimum alcohol content of 40% ABV.
Link with the territory
Spirits were registered in the customs tariffs of some municipalities in the Piedmont region as early as the mid-15th century. The Corporation of confectioners and spirit distillers (or the Università degli Acquavitai) was established in Turin in 1739, with the aim of adopting rules and regulations for those who practiced the “art of distillation”. In the mid-20th century, a distillers’ Consortium was created to valorise Grappa Piemontese, and they established the production regulations. With EEC Regulation No. 1576/89, Grappa Piemontese GI or Grappa del Piemonte GI was registered for the first in Annex II of the European Geographical Designations for spirits. Piedmontese tradition, artisanality and distilling still defend and protect their origins and borders, just as the Corporation founded in Turin in the eighteenth century did, in particular through the Grappa Piemonte Institute. Piedmont is noted for producing excellent single-variety grappas, among which are those obtained from the aromatic Moscato grape marc, or the marc of the Nebbiolo black grape variety, which produce particularly structured grappas. Piedmont’s rich heritage of vineyards also offers prestigious grape marcs obtained from varieties such as Dolcetto, Arneis, Erbaluce, Grignolino, Freisa, Malvasia, Brachetto, Ruchè and Cortese, to name but a few.
Legislative information
The Grappa Piemontese or Grappa del Piemonte Geographical Indication is registered in Annex III of Regulation (EC) No. 110/2008 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and protection of Geographical Indications of spirit drinks and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1576/89 (published in the OJEU L. 39 of 13.02.2008), as modified by EC Reg. 1067/2016 and Reg. 674/2019. Notwithstanding the entry into force of the new EU Reg. 787/2019, which repeals Reg. 110/2008 and – as far as GIs are concerned – has been applied since 8 June 2019, Annex III will continue to apply until the creation of the GI Register referred to in art. 33 of the new regulation. Generally, article 24, paragraph 1 of Regulation 787/2019 states that for every single Geographical Indication a technical file containing the requirements set out in the same article must be presented to the European Commission. The Grappa Piemontese or Grappa del Piemonte Geographical Indication is contained in the decree issued by the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies on 11 February 2015 (published in the Italian Official Journal no. 43 of 21.02.2015).
