Distilleria Bocchino
The genesis of one of the greatest dynasties of Italian Grappa producers, spreading between the Andes and the hills of Piedmont.
It is in the heart of the Piedmont region in Italy, and more precisely in the vineyards of Langhe and Montferrato, an area that is part of the UNESCO world heritage, that the Distilleria Bocchino dedicates itself to the selection and distillation of the best marcs to create its renowned grappas. It is one of the main Houses that have marked the art of distillation.
Behind the doors of the Bocchino distillery, the history of Italian excellence is being written: the history of the sweet and elegant Grappa. However, before finding his way, Carlo Bocchino was not a distiller: he was a surveyor. He went to Chile, in the middle of the 19th century to work on the conception of the Transandina: the highest railroad in the world. There he met the love of his life, Maria Martina de Miranda Ortiz, a native of the fascinating Elqui Valley, where Muscat grape is grown and Pisco is produced. Carlo returned to his homeland with a head full of ambitions and bright ideas and finally opened a small distillery in Canelli in 1898.
At that time, he was the first to decide to use only one variety of grape to make his unique grappa: the Moscato d'Asti. Since then, 5 generations have succeeded each other to perpetuate the tradition.
But first, it is important to define what is a Grappa, this spirit that many people do not know well. The word "Grappa" comes from the terms "Grapo" or "Graspa" which means "grape marc" in Italian. As its name indicates, it is resulting from the distillation of the marc: the residual matter such as the skin, the pips and the stalks, coming from the pressing of the grapes. The know-how, the respect of the tradition and the dedication to quality of the distiller are essential to the elaboration of a tasty and subtle grappa.
Seeking to improve the status and quality of his spirit, Carlo will develop a new distillation technique based on the precise selection of raw materials, allowing to strengthen the aromas present inside. This unique heritage will be passed on from generation to generation, starting with Carlo's son Lazarito. He was the first to realize that this elixir requires time and patience and that "distributing it as soon as it is made would be like trying to make a one-year-old child walk alone. You have to make your bones, even in grappa". When his father, Carlo, died in 1937, Lazarito was ready to run the business on his own.
Later, he will also share his interest and dedication to his land with his son-in-law, Giorgio Micca, who will take over the reins of the distillery. He will be at the origin of the range "Sigillo Nero" whose ambassador is no other than the famous Mike Bongiorno. The famous slogan "Always higher" will propel Bocchino in the spotlight. Since Giorgio's death in 1996, his son Carlo Micca Bocchino has been running the distillery, supported by his daughters, Miranda and Marta, who have inherited the family passion.
Therefore, Carlo Bocchino's secrets are carefully kept inside the stills in which this extremely delicate Grappa ferments. Once fermented, the aging in appropriate casks allows to obtain a perfectly finished distillate with a typical amber color, just like the Carlo Bocchino Grappa Riserva, the jewel of the House.
It is a blend of different vintages and Piedmontese grape varieties (Nebbiolo, Barbera and Moscato), forming an incomparable bouquet with rich vanilla and tobacco aromas. What gives the aged and matured grappa its deep and intense color is its aging in oak barrels for over 18 months. In contact with the air between the pores of the wood, it will slowly oxidize and evolve from a golden yellow to amber color. Distilled according to the "Carlo Bocchnio" alembic method, Carlo Bocchino's Grappa Riserva is opulent, velvety and elegant to the palate.
In addition, the Bocchino private cellar also opens its doors to us with the Cantina Privata collection, a selection of the best grappas aged 12, 18 or 21 years, which were originally intended for the family and a few friends of the distillery's founder. This range even includes the exclusive Cantina Privata Vintage 1988, which the family had meticulously preserved before presenting it to the public. It is particularly rare and unique, being produced only in a limited quantity of 492 individually numbered bottles. This grappa delivers aromas of exotic spices, ginger and cinnamon.
Finally, Grappa di Barolo - Barolo cask finish is made from the most prestigious Nebbiolo grape marc from the Barolo region. Its aging in cask gives it a myriad of candied orange, white flowers, cinnamon and hazelnut flavors. This grappa is very elegant with its golden amber color.
Each Bocchino grappa is the result of a perfect affinity between nature, time and craftsmanship. The fermentation and distillation of the marcs are still carried out according to Carlo Bocchino's original method. The true secret of these exceptional spirits resides in the land that gave birth to them: the anchorage to their land and their fruits give the Bocchino family a powerful sense of unity and empathy, thus keeping the tradition alive.
BOCCHINO Grappa di Barolo - Barolo Cask Finish - Bottle of 70 cl & Jeroboam of 3L
BOCCHINO Cantina Privata - 12 Anni - Bottle of 70 cl
BOCCHINO Cantina Privata - 18 Anni - Bottle of 70 cl
BOCCHINO Cantina Privata - 21 Anni - Bottle of 70 cl
BOCCHINO Cantina Privata - Millésime 1988 - Bottle of 70 cl
BOCCHINO Grappa Riserva Carlo Bocchino - Carafe de 70 cl
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