Maker: St. Julian, Paw Paw, Michigan, USA
Grape: Traminette
Style: Pomace Brandy
ABV: 40%
Price: $20/375 ml (only available at St. Julian tasting rooms)
Appearance: Clear.
Nose: Alcohol, grape stems, white pepper, ginger, violets.
Palate: Full-bodied, semi-dry. Yellow cayenne, pepper melange, lavender.
Finish: Fresh, clean, more lavender.
It’s much drier and spicier than the other grappa
Parting words: One of my common social media rants about the state of craft spirits in Michigan is frustration at the lack of brandy being produced in a state that makes quite a bit of quality wine. Along with Black Star Farms, St. Julian is one of the few wineries in the state actually making brandy. This “grappa” (Italian for pomace brandy) is the best brandy I’ve had from them.
It’s much drier and spicier than the other grappa I currently have open, one from Moscato grapes. It’s good, but Traminette’s spice does wonderful things to this spirit. I like it a lot. It’s my favorite brandy in my current rotation. At $20, it’s an easy buy, too. St. Julian Michigan Grappa is highly recommended.
Sipology 