Romano Levi Grappa Bianca 700ml

Grappa Bianca offers a genuinely different lesson in how aging works than most spirits drinkers expect. Distilled at Romano Levi's own historic distillery in Neive — home to what's widely believed to be the last open-fire alembic still in all of Italy — this grappa ages a minimum of three years in classic Piedmontese casks, roughly 700 liters in capacity, made specifically of ash wood rather than oak. Ash wood is prized precisely because it preserves a spirit's aromatic components without imparting the color that oak typically would, which is exactly why this grappa remains crystal clear and transparent even after years of genuine cask maturation — a detail one retailer's own bottling certificate confirms directly, stating the Master Distiller and Controller personally certify the aging duration prior to bottling. The pomace is sourced from Nebbiolo grapes used for Barbaresco, alongside Dolcetto d'Alba and Barbera d'Alba, all grown across DOC and DOCG vineyards in Neive, Barbaresco, Trezzo, Treiso, and Alba — processed locally and blended according to an old recipe from Serafino Levi, Romano's father, who founded the distillery in 1925. Romano Levi himself, widely regarded as one of the greatest grappa producers in Italian history, took over the operation and ran it with the same open-fire method his entire career, personally designing the hand-drawn labels that still appear on every release. The official tasting notes describe a grappa that's "clear, transparent" in color, with an "intense fresh herbal note" carrying "a light woody base," the taste "medium dry, well balanced, harmonious." Chips Liquor's extended tasting confirms "fresh floral notes, along with subtle hints of fruit, herbs, and a gentle undertone of earthiness," the palate carrying "the unmistakable essence of the grape skins" with "bright white grapes, a delicate herbal character, and a subtle touch of minerality." Liquor Geeks' tasting describes "intense fresh herbal notes" immediately captivating the senses, developing "an intensity of medium-dry fruity notes" that contribute to "a well-rounded and balanced flavor profile," the finish "vibrant, leaving a lasting impression of the grape's natural essence." This is genuinely thoughtful, artisanal grappa — real depth from genuine aging, without any of the color you'd expect it to bring. Origins & Craftsmanship Romano Levi Grappa Bianca is produced by Distilleria Romano Levi, located in Neive, in Piedmont's Langhe region. The distillery was founded in 1925 by Serafino Levi, and continued by his son Romano Levi, one of the most celebrated grappa makers in Italian history, who ran the operation using what remains the last surviving open-fire alembic still in Italy until his death in 2008. The distillery today functions as a living museum of traditional grappa production. This grappa is made from a blend of Nebbiolo (grown for Barbaresco), Dolcetto d'Alba, and Barbera d'Alba pomace, sourced from DOC and DOCG vineyards in Neive, Barbaresco, Trezzo, Treiso, and Alba, processed locally and blended according to an old recipe originally developed by Serafino Levi. The finished spirit ages a minimum of three years in classic Piedmontese casks of approximately 700 liters, made of ash wood — chosen specifically for preserving aromatic character without imparting color, kept at a constant temperature between 14 and 19°C. Bottled at 45% ABV / 90 proof, 700ml. Critics Reviews No formal numerical critic score is confirmed for this product at this time. Viniwines / Eagle Bourbon (official tasting note): "Color: Clear, transparent. Perfume: Intense fresh herbal note with light wood. Taste: Medium dry, well balanced, harmonious. Marc origin: grapes grown on DOC and DOCG vineyards in Neive, Barbaresco, Trezzo, Treiso and Alba, locally processed and blended following an old Serafino Levi recipe. Aging: minimum three years in classic Piedmontese casks holding around 700 litres; made of ash wood, they are stored at a constant temperature and humidity. Certification of aging in wood: our Master Distiller and Controller certify that prior to bottling this Grappa has been aged in wood for the above length of time." Chips Liquor (extended tasting note): "Aroma: Upon the first encounter, the air is filled with a clean and vibrant bouquet. The aromas are redolent of the grape varietals from which it was derived, exuding fresh floral notes, along with subtle hints of fruit, herbs, and a gentle undertone of earthiness. Palate: A sip of Distilleria Romano Levi Grappa Bianca is an experience of pure and unaltered flavor. The palate is graced with the unmistakable essence of the grape skins from which it's distilled, imparting a medley of flavors that include bright white grapes, a delicate herbal character, and a subtle touch of minerality." Liquor Geeks (extended tasting note): "The Grappa Bianca opens with a clear and transparent appearance, offering a visual representation of its purity. On the nose, intense fresh herbal notes immediately captivate the senses, creating an invigorating and aromatic experience. As the grappa is savored, an intensity of medium-dry fruity notes emerges, contributing to a well-rounded and balanced flavor profile. The finish is vibrant, leaving a lasting impression of the grape's natural essence." Tasting Profile Nose Clear and transparent in appearance. Intense fresh herbal notes lead, with a light woody base, alongside fresh floral character and a gentle earthiness. Palate Medium dry, well-balanced, and harmonious, with bright white grape and delicate herbal character carrying through, alongside subtle minerality. Finish Vibrant and persistent, closing with a lasting impression of pure, natural grape essence. Quick Overview Category Details Style Grappa (Nebbiolo, Dolcetto & Barbera Blend) ABV / Proof 45% ABV / 90 Proof Grapes Nebbiolo (Barbaresco), Dolcetto d'Alba, Barbera d'Alba Pomace Source Neive, Barbaresco, Trezzo, Treiso & Alba Distillation Single-pass, open-flame alembic still — the last of its kind in Italy Aging Minimum 3 years, ~700L ash wood casks (color-preserving) Producer Distilleria Romano Levi — Neive, Piedmont, Italy Founded 1925, by Serafino Levi Legendary Distiller Romano Levi (died 2008) Style / Identity A genuinely herbal, mineral, well-aged grappa — crystal clear despite real cask maturation Aromas & Flavors Fresh herbs, light wood, white grape, subtle minerality Bottle Size 700ml Food Pairings Fresh, delicate desserts Almond biscotti Light, herbal dishes Serving Note Best enjoyed neat, in a small tulip glass, as a genuine after-dinner digestif.