Description
Geographical Indication Grappa Piemontese or Grappa del Piemonte is exclusively reserved to the grape marc produced from raw materials derived from grapes produced and vinified in the Piedmont Region, which is distilled and bottled in plants established within the above mentioned area.
Production Area
The production area of Grappa Piemontese GI or Grappa del Piemonte GI is within the entire territory of the Piedmont Region.
Production Method
Grappa Piemontese GI or Grappa del Piemonte GI is produced through distillation, directly by water vapour or after water has been added in the pot still, of fermented or semi-fermented grape marc. Liquid natural lees of wine can be utilized up to a maximum of 25 kg for each 100 kg of grape marc.The quantity of alcohol derived from the lees may not exceed 35% of the total quantity of alcohol in the finished product.The liquid natural lees of wine can be used in the following ways: by adding it to the grape marc before proceeding with distillation; by removing – at the same time – the alcohol from both the grape marc and lees, and starting the distillation of the mixture obtained from the two phlegms or alcohol vapours; by removing – separately – the alcohol from both the grape marc and lees, and starting the distillation process. These operations must take place in the same distillation plant. The distillation - in continuous or batch plants - of the fermented or semi-fermented grape marcs should be carried out at less than 86% by volume. Within this limit the obtained product may be re-distilled. The addition of the following is also permitted in the production of Grappa Piemontese GI or Grappa del Piemonte GI:- aromatic plants or fruits or part of them, which represent traditional production methods;- sugars, up to a maximum of 20 g of sugar per litre, expressed as invert sugar; - caramel, only to grappa that has been aged for at least 12 months, in accordance with current national and European regulations.Grappa Piemontese GI or Grappa del Piemonte GI can only be aged in wooden barrels, vats or containers. The terms Vecchia (old) or Invecchiata (aged), can be used on the labels and for the promotion of grappa that has been aged in not varnished or dipped wooden containers for at least 12 months, subjected to official controls and in plants situated within the territory of the Piedmont region. The terms Riserva (reserve) or Stravecchia (extra-old) can be used for grappa that has been aged for at least 18 months.
Product Characteristics
Grappa Piemontese GI or Grappa del Piemonte GI is produced through distillation of fermented or semi-fermented grape marcs, directly by water vapour or after water has been added in the pot still. It can be subjected to the ageing process in not varnished or dipped wooden containers. To be released for consumption, the minimum alcoholic strength by volume shall be 40%.
Link with the territory
Distillates were registered in the customs tariffs of some municipalities in the Piedmont Region as early as the mid-1400s. In 1739 the University of Distillers was created in Turin with the aim of adopting rules and regulations for the practitioners of the “art of distillation”. In the mid-Twentieth century a distillers’ consortium was created to valorize Grappa Piemontese GI or Grappa del Piemonte GI; this brought together a large group of distillers who established the production regulations. The Grappa Piemontese GI or Grappa del Piemonte GI was registered for the first time in Annex II of Regulation (ECC) no. 1576/89 for European geographical designation for spirits. The regional tradition of making Grappa is still defended and protected - as done by the Consortium created in the mid- Twentieth century- particularly through the Institute of the Grappa del Piemonte. Piedmont is noted for producing excellent single-variety grappas, among which, those obtained from the aromatic grape marc of Moscato, or from the marc of the black Nebbiolo grape variety. Although Piedmont’s rich heritage of vineyards also offers prestigious grape marcs obtained from varieties such as Dolcetto, Arneis, Erbaluce, Grignolino, Freisa, Malvasia, Brachetto, Ruche’ and Cortese, to name just a few.`The word Grappa Piemontese GI or Grappa del Piemonte GI may be completed by reference to:- a vine variety name, when it has been produced from distillation obtained from raw materials coming from the vinification of grapes belonging to that specific vine variety for 100% of their weight (it is allowed the presence of other vine varieties up to 15%);- no more than two vine varieties names, when it has been produced from distillation obtained from raw materials entirely coming from the vinification of grapes belonging to those specific vine varieties (it shall not be indicated vine varieties used for less than 15%);- the name of a DOC, DOCG or IGT (PDO, PGI) wine, when the raw materials come from the grapes employed for the production of this wine (in this case, the use of the DOC, DOCG, IGT, PDO, PGI symbols or lettering, in either abbreviation form or in full, is not permitted). The use of the name “Barolo” is not permitted as it is exclusively reserved to the Grappa di Barolo GI;- the distillation’s method, continuous or discontinuous-cycle stills. The pot still can be specified ad “Bain-marie of Piedmont Region”.
Legislative information
Geographical Indication Grappa Piemontese or Grappa del Piemonte is registered in the Annex III of Regulation (EC) n. 110/2008 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of Geographical Indications of spirit drinks and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89 (published in the Official Journal of the EU of 13 February 2008; L. 39) as modified by the Reg. (EC) 1067/2016 and by Reg. 674/2019. Notwithstanding the entry in force of the new Reg. UE 787/2019 which is replacing Reg. 110/2008 and that applies to GIs from 8 june 2019, Annex III still stand until the creation of GI’s Register referred to in article 33 of the new law. Generally, article 24 paragraph 1 of Regulation 787/2019 provides that for every Geographical Indication has to be presented a technical file containing requirements requested by article 24 itself. In Italy the approval and presentation procedure of technical files is defined by the ministerial decree of May 13, 2010. The Grappa Piemontese GI or Grappa del Piemonte GI is contained in the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies decree of February 11, 2015 (published in the Italian Official Journal n. 43 of February 21, 2015).
