What does grappa taste like?
Grappa tastes fiery and grapey: a clear Italian brandy made from leftover grape skins and seeds, with a sharp alcohol burn, floral or fruity aromas and an earthy, rustic edge.
Grappa
fiery, grapey Italian brandy
Grappa is made by distilling pomace: the skins, seeds and stems left over after grapes are pressed for wine. It's a thrifty Italian tradition, and old-school cheap grappa earned a reputation as rocket fuel. Modern grappa is often much smoother. Young, clear grappa tastes sharp and grapey, sometimes floral if it's made from aromatic grapes like moscato. Aged grappa rests in wood and turns golden and softer, with hints of vanilla and dried fruit. It's usually 40 to 50% alcohol.
Where you’ll see it
After dinner at Italian restaurants, served in a small tulip glass, or splashed into espresso as a caffè corretto. Some menus list several grappas by grape.
Order it if you like brandy and strong after-dinner drinks and want a fiery, grapey nightcap.
Quick questions
- Is grappa the same as brandy?
- It's a kind of brandy, but most brandy is distilled from wine, while grappa is distilled from the leftover skins and seeds. That makes it rawer and earthier.
- Is grappa strong?
- Yes. It's usually 40 to 50% alcohol, about as strong as whiskey or stronger, so it's sipped slowly in small pours.