Description
The Südtiroler Grappa and/or Grappa dell’Alto Adige Geographical Indication is reserved exclusively for grape marc spirits obtained from raw materials deriving from grapes produced and vinified in the Südtirol/Alto Adige, and distilled and bottled in establishments located within the same province.
Production Area
The production area of Südtiroler Grappa GI and/or Grappa dell’Alto Adige GI is within the entire territory of the autonomous Province of Südtirol/Alto Adige.
Production Method
Südtiroler Grappa GI and/or Grappa dell’Alto Adige GI is made from the fermented or semi-fermented grape marc of wine produced in Südtirol/Alto Adige from grapes grown in the same province. The grape marc is distilled through either continuous or batch distillation, using direct steam, direct heat or indirect steam after water has been added to the alembic still with the separation of the heads and tails. 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 fermentation, distillation, reduction of alcohol content, bottling and labelling processes must take place in the geographical area of Südtirol/Alto Adige. Potable water from the geographical area of Südtirol/Alto Adige must be used for the dilution process. following ingredients may be added during the production of Südtiroler Grappa GI and/or Grappa dell’Alto Adige GI: – sugars, up to a maximum of 20 g per litre, expressed as invert sugar; – caramel, only for grappas that have been aged for at least 12 months, according to current European and national regulations. Südtiroler Grappa GI and/or Grappa dell’Alto Adige 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 recipients for a minimum of 12 months, subjected to rigorous controls, in establishments located in Trentino. The terms Riserva or Stravecchia can be used for grappas aged at least 18 months.
Additional specifications
The Südtiroler Grappa and/or Grappa dell’Alto Adige 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 distillation method, continuous or batch, and type of alembic still used.
Product Characteristics
Südtiroler Grappa GI and/or Grappa dell’Alto Adige GI is made from the fermented or semi-fermented grape marc of wine produced in Südtirol/Alto Adige from grapes grown in the same province. Südtiroler Grappa GI and/or Grappa dell’Alto Adige GI can be aged in unvarnished, uncoated wooden recipients. Südtiroler Grappa GI and/or Grappa dell’Alto Adige GI can only be released for consumption with a minimum alcohol content of 40% ABV.
Link with the territory
Due to the consolidated practice of winemaking and distilling the by-products, grappa production grew alongside the Italian winemaking tradition and, in particular, that of Südtirol/Alto Adige. As evidenced in several historical documents, Südtiroler Grappa GI and/or Grappa dell’Alto Adige GI is traditionally obtained through the direct distillation of grape marc and is closely linked to the territory of origin. The temperature fluctuations in Südtirol/Alto Adige, which is normally cool, promote the development of typical aromas during the maturation of the grappa in wooden recipients. A key role is also played by the centuries-old experience of the distillers in Alto Adige, as well as by the continuous improvement of the production cycle, which develops harmoniously in an area of high environmental value.
Legislative information
The Südtiroler Grappa and/or Grappa dell’Alto Adige 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 technical file for Südtiroler Grappa GI and/or Grappa dell’Alto Adige GI is contained in the decree issued by the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies on 24 November 2014 (published in the Italian Official Journal no. 281 of 03.12.2014).
