Nonino Grappa di Merlot is a single-grape (monovitigno) grappa distilled from the fresh pomace of Merlot, and we are delighted to pour it as a digestif at Grappa in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood. Made by the Nonino family in Percoto, Friuli, the distillery that pioneered single-variety grappa, it is a smooth, refined pour we are proud to share from our family to your table.
About the Distillery
The Nonino distillery traces its roots to 1897, when Orazio Nonino established the family’s premises in Ronchi di Percoto, in the Friuli region of northeast Italy. In 1973 Giannola and Benito Nonino made history by distilling a single grape variety on its own, creating the first Grappa Monovitigno and transforming grappa from a rustic spirit into a refined one. The family’s pursuit of quality has earned Italy’s highest honors for craft and enterprise, and continues across the generations today.
Style & Production
A monovitigno grappa is distilled from a single grape variety rather than a blend. Grappa is made by distilling the vinaccia, the skins and seeds left after grapes are pressed for wine. Nonino uses fresh Merlot pomace, distilled soon after pressing in their copper steam stills, a method designed to capture the grape’s character with clarity and finesse. The result is bottled clear and unaged.
Tasting Notes
The nose is delicate and expressive, with floral notes of rose petals over hints of ripe cherry and red fruit. The palate is soft and round with a velvety texture, revealing layers of fruit and a whisper of spice. The finish is clean, elegant and long, faintly almond-like, with a gentle, lingering warmth.
What to Pair It With
Its smooth, rounded character makes it a graceful digestif. Enjoy it with our Mama’s Tiramisu or Flourless Chocolate Cake, or let it follow our American Wagyu steaks. Explore the full dine-in menu for more.
How It’s Served at Grappa
We serve Nonino Grappa di Merlot neat as a digestif, poured at $24, to be savored slowly at the close of dinner.
FAQ
Where is it from?
It is made by the Nonino family in Percoto, in the Friuli region of northeast Italy, from the fresh pomace of Merlot grapes.
What does it taste like?
It is delicate and refined, with floral rose and red-fruit aromas, a soft, velvety palate with a hint of spice, and a clean, elegant, long finish.
What makes Nonino special?
The Nonino family created the first single-variety Grappa Monovitigno in 1973, distilling one grape on its own and helping transform grappa into a refined, celebrated spirit.
Let Nonino Grappa di Merlot close your evening with elegance: book a table, browse the cocktail & spirits list, and explore the dine-in menu.
