Grappa is an alcoholic drink with a high content of alcohol, it is characterized by a pleasant aroma and unusual aftertaste. Some compare it with the Italian temperament.
Content
Grappa is made from the waste remaining after the manufacture of wine. Every year in Italy, 40 million bottles of an unusual drink are produced, which is known around the world. This article will examine in detail the features of grapps, types and technology of production.
Grappa production
- To make the drink high -quality, you need to choose the right ingredients. For manufacture is used grape pulpremaining after the creation of red varieties of wines. Squeezes roam in wooden barrels, so the content of alcohol increases.
- When white varieties of wines are produced, the pulp should roam. Therefore, it contains a lot of sugar and there is no alcohol. If pink varieties of wines are produced, the wort wanders in combination with berries. Such raw materials contain a little alcohol. In the production of high -quality grappa from squeezes get bones, and only after that is distilled.
Grappa distillation
Since the 60s of the XX century, in Italy they began to use machines for distillation. Modern distillers consist of 3 devices that are connected. They are characterized by a cone -shaped shape. Thanks to this, all extraneous impurities are better removed from raw materials.
Advantages of equipment:
- constant distillation cycle;
- high power;
- easy to use.
Some manufacturers use distillators with a periodic cycle of work. Thanks to this, the drink will be better and tasty.
Grapped contains from 37% to 60% alcohol. At the end of distillation, the drink increases its fortress to 70-86%. To reduce it, add clean water that has passed the filtering process.
Grappa exposure
- To prepare a delicious and aromatic drink, it is necessary to subject it to another stage of production - endurance (in other words of maturation). After you need filtering, which will remove the remaining oils. Thanks to this, the drink becomes transparent.
- Hold the drink in barrels of wood. The optimal volume is 225 liters. Most often used oak, acacia, cherry and plum barrels. If a container of cherry wood is used, the drink is lighter. Oak barrels will give grappa an amber tint and an unusual aftertaste, because they contain tannins.
- The exact exposure time cannot be determined. It all depends on which type of grappa will be made. Next, the most common types of drink will be considered.
Types of grapp
There are several types of grapps that differ in age and variety of grapes used:
- Giovanni. Drink with a slight exposure. Stored in metal or glass barrels;
- Aromatics. For production, choose aromatic varieties of grapes (for example, muskat);
- Affinate. It is stored in barrels of wood for 10-12 months, after which it is poured into bottles.
- InVECHATA. It is characterized by one and a half year old exposure. The drink is stored in wooden barrels.
- Stravekuykya. The drink ripens almost 2 years in wooden barrels.
- Polyvitino. It is characterized by a mixture of squeezes from different grape varieties.
- Flavored. Special natural oil oils are poured into the drink.
- One -chain. For which 1 specific grape variety is used.
Manufacturers of grapp
In total, there are more than a hundred companies that are engaged in the production of grapps. More than half of them are territorially located in the north and east of Italy. If some distillers make not only grappa, but also other products, then others are engaged in the production of exclusively grapps.
The most famous companies are:
- Bertha. The company is located in Piedmont. It is engaged in the production of various drinks. A distinctive feature of the company - bottles are characterized by an unusual form.
- Bokkino. A company that uses ancient methods of filtering and ripening of a drink. The cellar for storage of grappa is located on the hill.
- Bortolo Nardini - The oldest distillery in Italy, which uses ancient methods of the production of grappa.
- Vittorio Capowlla. The company is engaged in distillation of fruit drinks. The production of Grappa accounts for only 20% of the assortment of the company.
- Marolo. A company that combines modern equipment and traditional manufacturing methods. The company is engaged in the production of not only alcoholic beverages, but also desserts with grappa.
- Nonino. One of the companies that only women lead. It combines revolutionary production methods, but does not forget about traditions. The most famous product of the company is Grappa Cru Monovitigno Picolit. The bottle in shape resembles a flask, and the drink is characterized by a pleasant honey gear and the aroma of acacia flowers.
- Romano Levy - This is the most famous factory for the manufacture of grapp. In the process of manufacturing, a method of filtration with an unstable cycle is used. Unusual labels that are designed for collectors are attached to the bottles.
If you choose a drink, try to look not only at the name of the company, but also at the region of production. After all, manufacturing is regulated by law. If the company does not meet the requirements for the application of the name "grapp" or geographical position, then the drink indicates the phrase "Acquavite di Vinaccia".
Grappa and Chacha: What is the difference?
- Most people do not know how Chacha differs from grappa. Firstly, the difference lies in the territorial location. Chacha is produced in Georgia.
- Secondly, Chacha refers to very strong drinks. There are many alcohols (almost 60%). To create a chach, squeezes of not quite reconciled grapes are used.
- The difference also consists in the form of the raw materials used. For the production of chachi, white grape varieties, for example, Isabella are suitable. For a competitor in this case, Italian grape varieties are used, which are characterized by a rich aroma. Chachu is stored in mulberry barrels.
Tasting and features of grappa use
- If the grapps are tasted by professionals, then this happens according to certain rules. A person must fully concentrate on the aroma and taste of the drink. Therefore, tasting is carried out in a bright room where good sound insulation is installed.
- Sommelier is forbidden to apply a perfume, smoke cigarettes and eat food with a bright taste. If you need to tast different varieties of alcohol, then it is customary to start with a young one. Then proceed to the fragrant, and complete the tasting with a sustained variety. You need to use a drink when it reaches the temperature from 9 to 13 ° C. An exception is only a mature grappa, which is consumed at 17 ° C.
- Choose the right one Glass for tasting grappa. It should be 10-15 cm in height. The optimal shape is a tulip. Choose crystal vessels. To better feel the aroma, the neck should be narrow, with an open crown.
- First of all, you need to evaluate the drink visually. Direct the glass in the light. If you notice the turpp, then the grapps with a defect. An exception is the species in which vegetable oils are added. A young drink is characterized by transparency. If you want to feel a real aroma, then have a filled glass near your nose, but not back. Young grappes is characterized by a pleasant aroma with fruit notes. A mature drink is characterized by vanilla, cinnamon, chocolate or tobacco notes.
- To feel a real taste, do a small sip. After that, scroll the drink in the tongue for 2-3 seconds. To restore receptors and continue to feel the true taste, after each type of grapp, drink a little milk.
- If you want to have fun with friends, then drink grappa in small sips. It is better to do this after eating to improve digestion. Italians add a strong drink to espresso.
Grappa: Price
- Depending on the type of grappa, the price of the drink also differs. On the territory of Italy, a bottle of grappa, a volume of 500 ml, costs about 8 euros. This is the initial price, which can increase depending on the company and the time of aging of the drink.
- In stores you can find a bottle of grappa, with a volume of 500 ml, for 600 euros.
- In the territory of the CIS countries, one bottle of grappa can cost from 20 to 100 euros.
Grappa combination with other products
- Grappa is a universal drink that is combined with almost all products. Most often it is used with fruits. Some ladies prepare an unusual cocktail, squeezing a little fruit juice in a glass with Italian vodka. You can also cook a sweeter cocktail. To do this, grind a little mint with sugar, and pour the cooked mixture of grappa. The drink will be not only tasty, but also refreshing.
- Italians use grapp with Friul national cuisine dishes. They note that the drink is in harmony with fish or meat appetizers. Some people use grapps with dumplings or salads. But, the most "loyal allies" are considered to be fruits, black chocolate, ice cream, lemon and various desserts.
Grappa recipe at home
You can make grapps at home if you prepare the necessary ingredients and be patient.
Compound:
- Grape squirrels - 7 liters
- Sugar - 3.5 kg
- Distilled water - 11 l
- Dry yeast - 100 g
Process:
- In a deep container, mix sugar and water, yeast and waste remaining in the production of wine. Mix thoroughly.
- Cover the container with a lid equipped with a water plant.
- Put the container in a dark warm place where the sun's rays do not fall.
- Every day open the lid and mix the mash to improve aeration. The duration of fermentation is about 4 days.
There are cases when distillation is required:
- gurgling of the water plant is carried out several times within a minute;
- the number of foam decreased;
- the clarification of the mash began and a precipitate formed at the bottom;
- there was bitterness.
Distillation for grappa
- To make delicious and high -quality grapp, you need to conduct Double distillation. This is due to the fact that in the grapes there are many dangerous substances that are easy for humans that are easy to remove using fractional distillation. The first time the distillation needs to be carried out at high speeds. After you need to carry out fractional distillation at minimum power.
- After insist the drink for about six months, using natural wood containers. This will allow you to get a delicious and high -quality drink.
Grappa: Action on the body
- Many mistakenly believe that alcoholic drinks negatively affect the state of human health. But it is not so. If you control the amount of the drink used, then you can bring benefits.
- The grapes and oak contains many useful substances that go into grapps during exposure.
If you use a drink in small quantities, then you can normalize the state of some functions of the body:
- Reduce blood pressure.
- To cure some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
It is recommended to drink no more than 30-50 ml of the drink per day. If you exceed the daily norm of grapp, you can provoke negative consequences:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- The harm of the cardiovascular system.
- Hangover.
- Poisoning.
So, grappa is a well -known alcoholic drink that is common around the world. It is characterized by saturated aftertaste and pleasant aroma. If desired, and a lot of time, you can prepare a drink at home. Use grappa wisely, and do not exceed the daily norm.
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