Story: Pilzer Distillery | Trento
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Distilleria Pilzer - Traditional grappa production in Trentino
The Pilzer distillery is located in Faver in the Cembra Valley (Trentino). It was founded in 1957 by Vincenzo Pilzer and is now run by the second generation of the Pilzer brothers, Bruno and Ivano Pilzer. On the website, the Pilzer brothers emphasize that distilling is “an ancient craft” for them, in which patience, knowledge, experience and technology are intertwined. Distillation is therefore carried out according to old traditions: for example, the freshly harvested grape residues are immediately placed in stainless steel tanks for fermentation before being gently distilled in discontinuous water-bath alambics. This gentle distillation process - in which the pre-distillation and post-distillation are carefully separated - preserves as much of the typical varietal aroma as possible. The grappa is only bottled after subsequent ageing (e.g. for around a year in steel barrels).

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Regional raw materials
Pilzer mainly uses local raw materials: primarily grape press residue (grappa pomace) from Trentino vineyards as well as fruit and herbs from the region. For example, the grapes for the yellow Muscat grappa come from the vineyards of Valle dell'Adige and Valle dei Laghi in the province of Trento. In addition to Muscat, other indigenous grape varieties such as Pinot Nero, Traminer, Nosiola and Chardonnay are also used. Fruit brandies made from regional fruit (e.g. apricots, apples and Williams pears) and flavored distillates with typical Alpine botanicals (gentian, liquorice, coffee, etc.) are also used.

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Products and the Delmè grappa line
Today, Distilleria Pilzer offers a wide range of artisan spirits. In addition to classic, single-varietal white grappas made from various Trentino grapes, the range also includes intensely fragrant specialties and matured grappas. The “Delmè” grappa line occupies a special position among the products. The Pilzer website points out that the second generation has developed “new ideas and products with innovation and courage” - including the Delmè edition in particular. The name “Delmè” alludes to the local custom of serving guests the “best of us” from the best cellar. Delmè grappa is made from a cuvée of selected Trentino grape varieties, which is bottled in white and marketed as a single-varietal premium product. A modified version is Delmè d'Oro, a grappa matured for a long time in small oak barrels (barriques). Both Delmè grappas have won several awards and are regarded as the distillery's flagship products. The current range also includes other limited edition specialties (e.g. “L'Acqua Mater” - a blend of twelve local grape varieties) as well as fruit brandies and flavoured grappas made according to traditional recipes. - Gerardo [TS06/25]