Tosolini Grappa di Moscato

Grappa is a well known Italian grape spirit. Unlike brandy, which is distilled from wine, here the pomace, or pressed pressed skins, pulp and stems left over after winemaking are what's distilled. Originally made to use up leftovers and seen as something of a rough and ready spirit it has, in recent years, been given a quite a makeover by quality distillers such as Bepi Tosolini. They make quite a range of Grappas using different different grape varieties; for this one Moscato (or Muscat) is the base and it's distilled in small batches in artisanal pot stills. Intense, slightly musky aroma with a touch of honey, blossom and mint it's quite zingy on the palate with violets followed with a delicate and persistent grapey finish. Highly refreshing and delicious and a good example of a quality, premium Grappa.

The history of the Bepi Tosolini Distillery began in 1943, when Friulian Bepi Tosolini, a man passionate about his region and its products, set out to create a different style of grappa. Transforming a simple, humble and very often rough, rustic spirit into something he could put before a more refined and demanding clientele. So, in the immediate post-war period, armed with the belief that this poor product of the Friulian peasant tradition, could achieve popularity on a wider stage. Bepi Tosolini has invested in his dream by building a new distillery in Udine and joined it to the largest grappa cellar in Italy. Having put Grappa firmly on the map they also produce a wider range of Italian spirits, becoming a much-admired distiller in the process.