Nonino Grappa Vendemmia 750ML

Nonino Grappa Vendemmia 750ML is an unaged Italian grappa bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750ml format. What sets this expression apart is its variety-by-variety distillation — each grape is distilled independently before blending — a technique pioneered by the Nonino family with their groundbreaking Monovitigno® single-varietal grappas.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy  |  Unaged  |  Distillery: Nonino Distillatori

Production & Heritage

Nonino Distillatori was founded in 1897 by Orazio Nonino in Percoto, a small town in northeastern Italy's Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. The Vendemmia is produced using the batch (discontinuous) method in exclusive copper steam stills, with careful head and tail removal during an intentionally slow distillation. This unhurried process allows volatile aromatic compounds to evaporate and condense gradually, preserving each grape variety's organoleptic fingerprint. The blend brings together Prosecco, Ribolla Gialla, and Malvasia — each distilled separately before being married into the final spirit. Unlike conventional blended grappas, which co-distill multiple pomaces together, this approach retains the distinct aromatic identity of each varietal. The grappa sees no wood aging, keeping its character bright, floral, and transparent.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Crystal-clear in the glass, the nose opens with delicate white flowers and pastry-like sweetness. Deeper breathing reveals white peach, apricot, acacia honey, and a gentle herbal undercurrent that nods to the Friulian terroir.

Taste: The entry is smooth and velvety, with an immediate impression of ripe grape and pear laced with light honey. At mid-palate, green apple and apricot emerge alongside a subtle almond nuttiness. A faint, pleasant bitterness from the grape skins adds complexity without disrupting the overall elegance.

Finish: Long and refined, with lingering fruity sweetness and gentle warmth. The floral and stone-fruit notes echo cleanly as the spirit fades, leaving a polished, dry close.

How to Drink Grappa Vendemmia

Serve chilled between 8–10°C (46–50°F) in a tulip-shaped grappa glass to concentrate the aromatics; a slight chill tames the alcohol and amplifies the floral top notes. For cocktail use, its aromatic brightness brings dimension to several classic drinks. In a Sgroppino, it intensifies the lemon sorbet base with grape-skin depth. A Grappa Sour (substituting grappa for whiskey) benefits from the Vendemmia's natural fruit sweetness, reducing reliance on added sugar. It also works beautifully in an Espresso Corretto, where its apricot and honey notes complement dark-roast bitterness.

Best For

• After-dinner digestivo service at an Italian-themed dinner party
• Introducing someone to premium grappa beyond industrial-quality examples
• Gifting an Italian spirits enthusiast who values artisan distillation heritage
• Building a grappa flight alongside aged Nonino expressions to explore the range

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Grappa Vendemmia taste like? It leads with ripe white peach, pear, and apricot, balanced by gentle almond nuttiness and a faint grape-skin bitterness. The overall profile is floral, fruity, and elegantly smooth with a long, warming finish.

How does Grappa Vendemmia compare to Jacopo Poli Grappa? Both Nonino (founded 1897 in Friuli) and Jacopo Poli (founded 1898 in Veneto) are benchmark artisan grappa producers using copper stills. Vendemmia leans more floral and fruit-forward due to its Prosecco, Ribolla Gialla, and Malvasia blend, while Poli's comparable expressions tend to showcase Veneto grape varieties with slightly different aromatic emphasis.

Is Grappa Vendemmia good for sipping neat? Yes — its smooth, velvety texture and aromatic complexity make it an excellent neat pour, especially when lightly chilled. The unaged profile keeps the fruit and floral notes front and center without oak influence.

Where is Grappa Vendemmia made? It is distilled at Nonino Distillatori in Percoto, a small town in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of northeastern Italy. The distillery has operated from this location since its founding in 1897.

What foods pair well with Grappa Vendemmia? Almond biscotti and cantucci accentuate the spirit's nutty undertones. Fresh stone fruit like peaches or apricots mirror its core aromatics. Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano provides a savory contrast to the floral sweetness. Dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage balances the grape-skin bitterness. Panettone during the holidays complements its pastry-like nose beautifully.

What sizes does Grappa Vendemmia come in? The standard widely available format is the 750ml bottle.

Is Grappa Vendemmia worth the price? It positions as a premium artisan grappa, well above industrial-grade products but accessible compared to Nonino's aged Riserva expressions. For a family-owned distillery with over 125 years of history and a proprietary varietal-distillation technique, it represents strong value within its tier.

Why Grappa Vendemmia?

The Nonino family's Monovitigno® innovation — distilling each grape variety separately before blending — fundamentally changed how the spirits world views grappa, and Vendemmia is the clearest expression of that philosophy in an unaged format. Where most blended grappas co-distill mixed pomace and lose varietal distinction, this bottling preserves the individual aromatic fingerprint of Prosecco, Ribolla Gialla, and Malvasia, then harmonizes them. The result is a grappa that reads more like a fine eau-de-vie than the harsh firewater reputation the category once carried. For anyone exploring Italian spirits beyond amaro and limoncello, few bottles make a stronger case for grappa as a serious, refined category.