Vineyard workers' drink turns chic

To think the Italian spirit was once the poor man's drink, made from the leftovers of wine. "My parents made it a sophisticated drink," says Elissabetta Nonino, who was in Mumbai for the launch of four Nonino Grappas.

Grappa is generally made with pomace: grape seeds, stalks and stems. As Nonino puts it, "The wine was for the rich vineyard owners in Italy; grappa was what the workers drank." Today, Nonino Grappa, which sells nearly 35 per cent of its spirits in foreign countries, costs anything from Rs 3,100 to Rs 10,000.

The grappa story
The Noninos have been making grappa since 1897, though with a m ufffdlange of grapes as was the norm then. It was in 1973 that Giannola Nonino came up with the Picolit grappa, made with a single grape called the picolit, with 50 per cent alcohol. Today, Nonino grappas are made using peaches, apricot, raspberries and cherries. Most varieties are aged six months to five years, like the Grappa Anticacuvee' Nonino Riserva (40 per cent alcohol).

Why Grappa will work
While city restaurants have had grappa on their menus, and The Trident in Bandra showcases a whole wall dedicated to the spirit, Nonino Grappa will be mostly sold on retail. The third generation businesswoman says India is becoming a bigger market for authentic Italian cuisine, and so, it's natural that we'd want to enjoy authentic Italian alcohol as well.

Any plans of distilling the spirit in the sub-continent? "No. Globalisation is good in some ways, not all. Grappa is typically Italian, it shares a link with the land it is made in. It can't and shouldn't be made elsewhere."

According to Nonino, since India is mostly a whiskey-drinking nation, the Grappa Anticacuvee might turn out to be most popular.u00a0

How to drink your Grappa
Grappa is usually drunk in small portions after a meal since it aids digestion. Nonino and Aspri Spirits (who are bringing down the Italian brand) plan to pitch it as a substitute for vodka in cocktails.

Grappa will be available at:
Living Liquidz
Call: 9930375669

Juben Wines
Call: 9867110001

Shah Wines
Call: 23427996

Grappa pairing
>>The Grappa Anticacuvee' Nonino Riserva tastes best with foie gras, hot chocolate and dark chocolate desserts.
>>Grappa Monovitigno, LO Chardonnay goes great with bitter chocolate.
>>Grappa Vendemmia Millesimata is an ideal post-meal drink.
>>Grappa Monovitigno, IL Merlot would complement a chocolate lava cake perfectly.u00a0