Grappa

On 27 November 1984, Benito and Giannola Nonino created something that had never existed before: ÙE, a grape brandy distilled together from the skin, pulp and juice. Not grappa, not brandy – something unique that combines the elegance of one with the character of the other. They had to fight for ministerial authorisation; today, half the distilling world follows their model. This Gran Riserva continues the legacy: exclusively Monovitigno Merlot from Friuli, harvested at optimum ripeness and processed immediately. Fermentation takes place anaerobically in stainless steel, distillation slowly in Benito's specially designed copper steam stills. Then the journey begins in the sherry casks from Jerez de la Frontera – for twelve years under customs seal, without a drop of colouring.

Picolit is an old, autochthonous vine from Friuli with white, loose-berried grapes that suffer severely from trickling. Only some of the flowers are fertilised and only a few, very small berries ripen, in which the full expressive power of the vine is concentrated. Due to its rarity and exceptional characteristics, the vine was known throughout the imperial courts of Europe.

Twenty years have passed since the Berta family left Nizza Monferrato. Today, with the acquisition of Castelletto dell'Annunziata, they are returning to the homeland where Paolo began writing his impressive story. To celebrate the return, a special grappa is being produced. A Piedmontese grappa, made from the best marcs that this land at the foot of the mountains has to offer. A new product, but with an old history. A homage to the land and a grappa that tastes like coming home.

Affina Riserva Ciliegio is a limited selection aged for ten years in small cherry wood barrels of various origins. This unique combination of flavours is presented in a teardrop-shaped blown bottle with a cherry wood stopper and in a beautifully crafted cherry wood box with a plexiglass cover.

Affina Riserva Rovere is a limited selection aged for eight years in small oak barrels of different origins. This unique combination of flavours is presented in a teardrop-shaped blown bottle with an oak stopper and in a beautifully crafted oak box with a plexiglass cover.

Affina Riserva Acacia is a limited selection aged for eight years in small barrels made of acacia wood of various origins. This unique combination of flavours is presented in a teardrop-shaped blown bottle with an acacia wood stopper and in a beautifully crafted acacia wood box with a plexiglass cover.

Grappa Annata Riserva made from Nebbiolo da Barolo and Barbera d'Asti named after the founder Paolo Berta. Perfection for lovers of very old brandies. Ripe golden colour, spicy bouquet of sultanas and tobacco, beautifully accentuated on the palate and with continuous development into the long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

ÙE La Riserva dei Cent'anni is a blend of grape distillates from different grape varieties aged for over fourteen years in barriques. The aroma is soft, lively and full-bodied with a slight hint of spices (saffron, cinnamon, curry, nutmeg) and hints of dried fruit. Warm, soft, round, persistent and velvety on the palate.

This unique Monovitigno Riserva matured for 18 years in barrique no. 419 made of Nevers oak. Intense amber colour, intense aroma of bitter almonds and sultanas. Fruity, full and round in the mouth, the olfactory impressions are confirmed.

Three years after the Sherry Cask Gran Riserva, a second decision was made – and it was different. On 15 January 2004, Benito Nonino chose not the sweet heritage of Andalusia, but the austere elegance of French oak: Barrique No. 3994 from the forest of Nevers, that forest in Burgundy whose wood has been moulding the greatest cognacs and barolos for centuries. Where the sherry cask brings sweetness and fruit to the distillate, the Nevers (single cask) adds structure and depth. The wood is denser, the pores finer, the dialogue between grappa and cask is different – less embrace, more dialogue at eye level. They conducted this dialogue for twenty years, under the seal and constant surveillance of the customs authorities, while the world outside kept turning. On 21 March 2024 – the first day of spring – the seal was broken. The barrel released only 256 Liters, enough for exactly 365 numbered bottles. One bottle for each day of the year in which the maturation ended.

Unique in terms of innovation and research. Contrary to the Liters, which tends to advise aging more neutral distillates in barriques, this way the elegant fruity and floral characteristics of the Cabernet grapes are maintained. This unique Monovitigno Riserva matured for 18 years in barrique no. 60 made of Nevers oak. Intense amber in colour, it has a bouquet of apricot, apple and light jam that combines with almond, dried fruit and chocolate. Engaging and spicy in the mouth, the olfactory impressions are confirmed.

In 2021, the Nonino family presented the Nonino Riserva Aged 20 Years grappa matured under customs seal. There are 664 numbered bottles.

In 2022, the Nonino family presented the ÙE Cru Schioppettino "18 anni" Monovitigno Riserva, matured for 18 years under customs seal in Nevers oak barrel no. 405. There are 460 numbered 0.70 litre bottles.

1x 0.7l "Roccanivo" Grappa invecchiata 2016

Despite the turmoil of the Second World War, the Berta family managed to enable the last-born to study. When Paolo left university in 1947 with a degree in viticulture, he transferred his parents' business in Nizza Monferrato to the "Distilleria Berta di Berta Paolo" in 1947. 75 years later, the Berta family celebrates this anniversary with a terrificRiserva bottled exclusively in magnum bottles in an edition of just 2,800 bottles. It is an exquisite assemblage from the 1983 to 1994 vintages of the legendary Riserva del Fondatore, elegantly packaged in an Italian burl wood box. SUPERIORE.DE

In 2024, the Nonino family presented the ÙE Cru Verduzzo "30 anni" Single Cask Gran Riserva 1994, matured for 30 years under customs seal in Limousin barrique no. 116. 385 numbered 0.70l bottles were produced.

Nonino's great Grappa Picolit Gran Riserva matures sealed and supervised by the Italian customs and monopoly authority for 10 years in former Sauternes barriques in the distillery's maturation cellars.

Since 1984, the Noninos have been bringing their ÙE grape distillate Cru Monovitigno Picolit to the market in a limited edition and a special decanter. An extremely exclusive product. You will only find it in the world's most famous restaurants and wine bars (New York: San Domenico, Los Angeles: "Valentino" di Piero Selvaggio, Paris: "Alain Ducasse", Montecarlo: Hotel de Paris, Florence: Enoteca Pinchiorri).