Nonino Picolit Grappa 750ml
Nonino Distillatori has been a family-run grappa house in Friuli since 1897, but it earned its lasting place in Italian distilling history on December 1, 1973, when Benito and Giannola Nonino distilled the pomace of Picolit grapes on its own, creating the world's first single varietal grappa. That decision, known as Monovitigno, reshaped how grappa was made and perceived, inspiring producers across Italy and beyond to follow the same single-grape model.
This bottling uses pomace exclusively from Picolit, a rare and highly prized grape sometimes called the queen of grappas, sourced from the Nonino family's own Cru vineyard in Buttrio. The pomace is processed under vacuum in temperature-controlled stainless steel to avoid unwanted secondary fermentation, then distilled slowly using the discontinuous method with head and tail cutting in copper steam stills. The spirit rests six months to a year in stainless steel before being hand-bottled at 50% alcohol by volume in the distillery's signature spherical flasks.
The result is crystalline and refined, with delicate floral aromas of acacia blossom and honeycomb layered over quince, fig, and a whisper of white pepper. The palate is smooth and elegant, closing with a long, graceful finish. It is best served neat in a tulip glass at around 12°C.