There's only one grappa I've ever managed to like, a chamomile one that some old Venetian guy served me years back. It's such a challenge for me. I'm a supertaster, and it's just way too intense.
Grappa… you are not Italian if you never got intoxicated with it at least once. My husband, grown up in the North-East of Italy, got so badly drunk on cheap grappa at 14yo that he only accepted to try it again after 40 years: this time, it was the good stuff, and now he likes it a lot. I like grappa, but not being a big fan of hard liquor I never got sick with it, because my stomach always told me a big NO in front of a first sip of bad grappa. But I must say that offering grappa to the unsuspecting foreigner friend will never stop being the Italian way to challenge and measure their ability to keep their composure, especially when the offer comes from an unassuming elderly lady with a smile on her face.
What a great post! My first introduction to grappa was in Istria. We stayed at a little guest house in a tiny town called Draguč (Draguccio in Italian, which our host spoke fluently, on account of being old enough to remember when Istria belonged to Italy). Her husband made his own grappa, and when we arrived, they welcomed us with cake and little glasses of grappa. We brought home two bottles of it, and every time I drank it I would remember the beautiful view from the hill town of Draguč.
I must admit I have never been a huge fan, most often opting for a dark herbal amaro in instances where either are offered and available. But I will certainly try your suggestions, in honor of Hemingway.
Our local trattoria has wild kareoke nights entirely fuelled by the local grappa fire water, illuminated by a combination of lightning and dancing fairy lights. ‘Viva per lei’ by Tuscan villagers is something to behold.
There's only one grappa I've ever managed to like, a chamomile one that some old Venetian guy served me years back. It's such a challenge for me. I'm a supertaster, and it's just way too intense.
I don't think I'm a supertaster but I'm like you. Maybe men like it more? I just have to smell a grappa and I feel like I got drunk!!
Grappa… you are not Italian if you never got intoxicated with it at least once. My husband, grown up in the North-East of Italy, got so badly drunk on cheap grappa at 14yo that he only accepted to try it again after 40 years: this time, it was the good stuff, and now he likes it a lot. I like grappa, but not being a big fan of hard liquor I never got sick with it, because my stomach always told me a big NO in front of a first sip of bad grappa. But I must say that offering grappa to the unsuspecting foreigner friend will never stop being the Italian way to challenge and measure their ability to keep their composure, especially when the offer comes from an unassuming elderly lady with a smile on her face.
What a great post! My first introduction to grappa was in Istria. We stayed at a little guest house in a tiny town called Draguč (Draguccio in Italian, which our host spoke fluently, on account of being old enough to remember when Istria belonged to Italy). Her husband made his own grappa, and when we arrived, they welcomed us with cake and little glasses of grappa. We brought home two bottles of it, and every time I drank it I would remember the beautiful view from the hill town of Draguč.
I must admit I have never been a huge fan, most often opting for a dark herbal amaro in instances where either are offered and available. But I will certainly try your suggestions, in honor of Hemingway.
Very informative! Thank you much. Saving this one for future reference. ❤️
No.
Our local trattoria has wild kareoke nights entirely fuelled by the local grappa fire water, illuminated by a combination of lightning and dancing fairy lights. ‘Viva per lei’ by Tuscan villagers is something to behold.