LE DELIZIE DEL ROERO

Grappa di Romano Levi.

Mr. Levi passed away last year, in 2008. His legacy survives him thanks to one of his "ignari", still working the alembic, as well as the family doctor, court appointed as take-carer of Mr. Levi's estate, in Neive. This grappa's label features a "chabot", a Roero's characteristic tools shed, still seen in our hills, and still shedding tools, as well as a reminder of a very special exchange "entente", between Fpaltz, a wine district in Germany, and Roero, the namesake district in Piedmont, Italy. This grappa was distilled by Mr. Levi in 2004, it is 48 degres strong, and it was aged in a cherry barrel (from which it's golden colour).

Only 200 bottles are available, each uniquely numbered form 1 to 200.

A collector's item; for people with a cellar where the best wines and spirits are kept; and uncorked only on very special occasions.

A few bottles are still available at € 95/bottle + shipping costs, TVA included.

Grappa di Barbera from Cascina Roera.

For the fortunate few who have met Claudio and Piero, and who have been blessed with a tasting of this spirit, and for the fewer who have been able to buy a bottle of it, this is no doubt the best grappa they have ever tasted. Grappa from Barbera, aged for one year in an oak barrel (from which the colour) from grapes lightly pressed. This lives enough moisture in the compound so that the distiller does not need to add fresh or distilled water to the grape's skins.

The resulting grappa is heaven for the amateurs: a very unique spirit, that does not need to be an icon, nor an investment, but a wondeful drink to be savoured with family, friends, and companions.

That is, if you order them early enough in 2010: only 100 bottles are available of which 3 have already been purchased by me (to taste them and make sure that you are getting the best).

A steal at € 20.- per bottle, plus shipping costs, TVA included.