Papà Marcel Grappas

This line of grappas is named after a famous inn in the centre of Aosta. It was run by a character called Papà Marcel. The autographs and messages scribbled on the walls by soldiers from the Alpine regiments have attracted many visitors and celebrities over the years. We still make Papà Marcel’s grappa in the same way, using traditional steam distilling processes, aromatic herbs and the roots and fruits of medicinal plants.
Whilst Tournevis, Achillea and Juniper are available throughout Italy and beyond, the others sometimes produced only in hundreds of bottles at a time are only available directly in the Valle D’Aosta.

cl. 70 40% vol.
The digestive properties of the ingredients of this flavoured grappa, the most typical from the Aosta valley, are well known. Literally “screwdriver”, it is an aromatic, perfectly balanced, recipe. The combination of alpine herbs including pine kernels, Gentian and Arquebuse impart the long slightly bitter finish, whilst the Liquorice and Star Anise are predominant on the palate. The perfect winter warmer.

cl. 70 40% vol.
Its Latin name comes from the Greek word Glukurrhiza meaning ‘sweet root’. Various therapeutic properties are attributed to the extract of this root. Its widespread use is also due to its pleasant flavour.

cl. 70 40% vol.
The Genepy plant is the symbol of the Aosta Valley. Because of its pleasant, familiar smell it is a common ingredient in local recipes. A protected species, it grows high up in the mountains between 2,200 and 3,000 m.

cl. 70 40% vol.
Juniper is a tough plant that thrives on the arid cliffs of the Mediterranean but also in the Alps where the water freezes in winter and is in short supply. Aromatic with a resinous and a fragrant nature it provides the essential note for gin. Juniper combines well with grappa, adding its typical notes to the aroma and giving richness and softness to the flavour and a long and pleasant finish.

cl. 70 40% vol.
The plant grows on steep, dry sunny slopes. Every part of the plant can be used. The plant, especially the leaves, emanate a strong grassy smell that blends perfectly with the characteristics of grappa.

cl. 70 40% vol.
Many of the woodland fruits (raspberries, blueberries, redcurrants and blackberries) grow wild in the mountains and are widely used in Alpine recipes. This traditional recipe adds smell and taste to the grappa containing the fruit.

cl. 70 40% vol.
Achilles hero of Greek mythology, used this herb to treat the wounds of his soldiers. Hence the name of this plant with its characteristic aroma, widely used in the mountains for its healing and digestive properties. The slightly bitter character is due to the active ingredient a glucoside known as Achilleina. The aroma is of citrus fruits and the pleasant but slightly bitter taste of the Achillea matches perfectly with the smoothness of the grappa.

cl. 70 40% vol.
Blueberries grow in the wild in woodland between 1,000 and 2,500 m. The essence of woodland berries, they are particularly rich in anti-oxidants.

cl. 70 40% vol.
Martin sec is a small, fairly dry, aromatic species of pear with a tough skin grown in the Aosta Valley and Piedmont. Its smell blends well with the pleasant, spicy, lingering taste of cinnamon.

cl. 70 40% vol.
The edelweiss is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows in small clumps at high altitude. In Italy it is common in the Alps where it grows at between 1,500 and 2,600 m in rocky, limestone soil.

cl. 70 40% vol.
The rose-hip is a false fruit, typical of the Rose species, containing the achenes, the true fruits of the plant. The hips of the dog rose are rich in Vitamin C and are also used to make jam.

cl. 70 40% vol.
This mountain fruit with excellent nutritional properties was the staple of mountain economies prior to the arrival of the potato. Its pleasant, naturally sweet taste blends perfectly with this strong grappa.

cl. 70 40% vol.
Common throughout the Mediterranean, nettles flourish in the mountains, especially in damp, shady places. In the local mountain and farming tradition, the nettle is widely used to treat a large number of ailments.