Romano Levi Grappa di Barbaresco 700ml

The Levi family's connection to grappa runs deep — Serafino Levi founded the distillery in Neive in 1925, and after his untimely passing, his children Romano and his sister Lidia faced the daunting task of carrying on the family tradition while still young. Romano went on to become one of the most celebrated grappa makers in Italian history, personally designing the distinctive hand-drawn labels that still appear on every release, and running the distillery on what's widely believed to be the last open-fire alembic still remaining in Italy — a single-pass method essentially unchanged since the distillery's founding. Though Romano passed away in 2008, the distillery has been preserved as a living museum, and his grappa continues to be made according to his own traditional methods to this day.

This particular grappa is made exclusively from the pomace of Nebbiolo grapes grown specifically for Barbaresco DOCG production — sourced from historic vineyards in Barbaresco, Treiso, and Neive, the celebrated communes at the heart of the appellation. Following distillation, the pomace-derived spirit ages a minimum of three years in traditional Piedmontese acacia wood casks, roughly 700 liters in capacity, developing genuine complexity and depth well beyond what a young, unaged grappa could achieve.

The official tasting notes describe a "medium amber" color, opening with "light notes of herbs and tobacco," the taste "dry, balanced with notes of liquorice and a light vanilla finish." Chips Liquor's extended tasting describes "delicate floral notes" intermingling "with the alluring scent of Barbaresco grapes, infused with a hint of oak from the aging process," the palate embracing "the opulence of dark fruits, the depth of cherries, and the exquisite nuance of the region's unique terroir." Suds and Spirits' tasting confirms "a smooth, full-bodied flavor profile, featuring delicate floral notes, hints of ripe dark fruit, and a subtle, earthy depth." Temple Cellars' tasting notes describe "notes of vanilla, herbs, liquorice and light wood," calling it "well-balanced." This is genuinely elegant, historically significant Italian grappa — made from one of Piedmont's most celebrated appellations, distilled by a name synonymous with true artisanal Italian distilling tradition.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Romano Levi Grappa di Barbaresco is produced by Distilleria Romano Levi, located in Neive, in Piedmont's Langhe region. The distillery was founded in 1925 by Serafino Levi, and continued by his children Romano and Lidia Levi following his death — Romano went on to become one of Italy's most celebrated grappa makers, personally illustrating the hand-drawn labels used on every release until his death in 2008. The distillery uses what is widely considered the last surviving open-fire alembic still in Italy, and today functions as a living museum of traditional grappa production.

This grappa is made exclusively from the pomace of Nebbiolo grapes grown for Barbaresco DOCG production, sourced from historic vineyards in the communes of Barbaresco, Treiso, and Neive. The pomace is cured underground before distillation, and the finished spirit ages a minimum of three years in traditional Piedmontese acacia wood casks of approximately 700 liters. Bottled at 42% ABV / 84 proof, 700ml.

Tasting Profile

Nose
Medium amber. Light herbs and tobacco lead, joined by delicate floral notes and a hint of oak, alongside vanilla.

Palate
Dry and well-balanced, with dark fruit and cherry depth carrying the entry, layered with herbal, earthy complexity reflecting the terroir of Barbaresco.

Finish
Refined and lingering, closing with licorice and a light vanilla note — genuinely elegant and dignified.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Dark chocolate
• Espresso, as a digestif pairing
• Aged, hard cheeses
• Traditional Piedmontese desserts

Serving Note

Best enjoyed neat, in a small tulip glass, as a genuine after-dinner digestif, or as a sophisticated base for innovative cocktails.