The distillers’ association emphasizes how the incorrect use of the word “Grappa” weakens the product’s reputation and creates consumer confusion
AssoDistil, the association that has represented and protected Italy’s leading distillation companies for 80 years, condemns the improper use of the term “Grappa” by the media. Recently, some press outlets and media channels have associated “Grappa” with certain incidents occurring within Penitentiary Institutions. These incidents led to the seizure of prohibited items, including self-produced alcoholic beverages.
DEFENDING THE REPUTATION OF ITALIAN “GRAPPA”
Using the term “Grappa” to refer to alcoholic products lacking any health or quality control weakens the reputation of an Italian excellence. Similarly, the improper definition of a “full-fledged distillery” in reference to unauthorized production misleads public opinion. It creates confusion between a legal, certified, historical product of guaranteed quality—backed by decades of expertise from master distillers and accredited certification bodies—and an alcoholic beverage of uncertain, clandestine production and highly dubious quality, which is not certified by any accredited body.
“To protect the reputation of not only the product, its producers, and consumers, but also the cultural significance of Made in Italy excellence, we invite the media to pay closer attention to using the correct terminology. Grappa GI is a point of pride for Italian distillation and should not be confused with other amateurish, makeshift concoctions that can even be harmful to health,” remarked Sandro Cobror, Director of AssoDistil.
GRAPPA: ITALIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE
Grappa is a product deeply tied to the identity of Italian agri-food heritage, protected by specific legislation (Ministerial Decree of January 28, 2016) and recognized as a Geographical Indication (GI). According to the Ministerial Decree of September 30, 2011, issued by MASAF, the designation “Grappa” can be attributed exclusively to pomace brandy obtained from grapes grown, vinified, distilled, and processed entirely within the national territory, in recognized plants and according to rigorous production methods compliant with the regulations.
