Gaja Grappa Sperss 375ml

Gaja is one of Piedmont's most celebrated wine families, with roots in the Langhe dating back to 1859. The estate's reputation was built on meticulous, terroir-focused winemaking, and in 1988 the family acquired the Sperss vineyard in the commune of Serralunga, a twelve-hectare site that has since become the source of some of Gaja's most sought-after Nebbiolo wines. This grappa extends that same attention to detail into the realm of distillation.

Grappa Sperss is made from fresh Nebbiolo pomace sourced from the Sperss vineyard, which sits in the Marenca-Rivette subarea on compact clay and limestone marls at around 1,210 feet of elevation, with vines averaging fifty years of age. The pomace is distilled immediately after fermentation using a slow method that separates the head, heart, and tail of the spirit, keeping only the heart to preserve the fullest varietal character. The grappa then spends about thirty months in oak, which lends it a warm golden hue, before being bottled at 45% alcohol by volume.

The result is a delicate gold-colored spirit with aromas of ripe fruit, hazelnut, and raisin, showing good body and a round, full finish. It is best enjoyed slowly, at room temperature, to appreciate its layered complexity.