World-Spirits Online Guide Abo – order now

Giovanni Dri and His Grappa - Children of the Mountains

"As the best of the vintners in his region, Giovanni Dri is someone I hold in high regard for his Ramandolo - fruity and honest, full in character and racy." This praise from Luigi Veronelli for the sweet wine Ramandolo from the indigeneous grape variety of Verduzzo can also be applied to the grappa variety. The grapes thrive at the foothills of the wine-growing area in the extensive DOC Colli Orientali del Friuli area in the province of Udine. The vineyards are located on steep southern slopes, protected by the 1,700 meter-high Monte Bernadia.
From a small plot of land with virtually impassable vineyards and an old cellar, Giovanni Dri has since 1968 developed one of the most acclaimed estates in Friaul. He is an ambitious, headstrong entrepreneur - and a passionate dreamer. "I believe in the strength of vineyards with their simple and honest fruit, because they bring the sensation of those things under the heavens which are allowing me to dream." His products are also like this - simply expressive.
"I don't want any complicated technology - I am led by tradition. My wife inspires and supports me, while my children are the joy of the future." That is reflected in the simple architecture which allows enough space for the slow maturing of the products. Due to this, it is only after three years that the Grappa Ramandolo comes onto the market: unique and very individual, fresh and fruity (distillation takes place just a short time after harvesting, which guarantees its purity), with typical aromas of almonds and other nuts, and an almost austere, heavy sweetness, however very refined and concentrated. One simply has to like it and likes it more with every sip. The jury at the World-Spirits Award also liked it - and awarded it with a gold medal.

Fabian Vögtle Distillates – Experimenting to head in new directions

Whilst some people are born with a sunny disposition, others are born with fire in their bellies. Fabian Vögtle was born with a passion for alcohol – mainly the production of it, of course. As attractive as it may sound, there are strict legal regulations for hobby distillers. For the production of spirits, you need special distilling rights. Fabian Vögtle was lucky in this respect, as schnapps production is a tradition in his family. Since he inherited his grandfather’s distilling rights in 2008, the full-time wine-grower has been distilling his own brandies and liqueurs, such as the Williams Christ pear, Mirabellenwasser (mirabelle), Zibärtle brandy, grape marc brandy from Gewürztraminer and wine brandy in oak barrels. The original craft has been retained by the distiller from Vogtsburg: distilling takes place in the old distillery, which is heated by hand with wood. The distillates mature in demijohns in wooden barrels, no cold treatment or filtration takes place. Soft spring water from the Glottertal valley is used to dilute the brandies to drinking strength.

These days, the focus is on gin, because this can be produced all year round. Fabian Vögtle’s ‘dialect’ is his own interpretation of the popular drink, which combines family tradition and innovation. It contains an exotic melange of a total of 17 natural botanicals, including juniper, aniseed and coriander, as well as orange and lemon peel. The annual highlight is a limited gin selection of 499 bottles – something special for gin lovers!

At the World Spirits Award, there was gold for Mundart Kaiserstuhl Dry Gin.

2B Hemp Gin: Styrian gin experience

Two visionaries, Armin Breinl (doctor, drink creator, musician) and Wolfgang Thomann (gin maker), have created a completely new gin experience with real hemp powder: 2B HEMP GIN (inspired by AEIJST). On 17th November 2018, the two invited guests to the first tasting of 2B HEMP GIN in the AEIJST GIN distillery in St. Nikolai in the Sausal Valley.

Made from organic juniper berries, this innovative gin has an impressive, mild and fruity taste and a typical hemp note. Due to its unique aroma, it not only tastes good neat, but also creates a ‘wow’ effect in cocktails – as proven in the long drink Styrian Pale Gin AEIJST refined with 2B HEMP.

For thousands of years, hemp has been grown as a valuable plant, be it for rope, fabric, paper or as an active ingredient in ointments and tinctures. Hemp has always been highly valued for its medicinal properties, yet recently has been demonised as an addictive drug and has suffered under its ensuing prohibition, originating in the USA. These days hemp is regaining importance and is being used more as a luxury food as well as in medicine as a therapeutic agent.

The Lifestyle Trading company, run by Armin Breinl, is an innovative beverage producer, which is already known amongst trade professionals for its sugar-free ‘func- tional fruit drinks’. The drinks have a high fruit content (more than 50 per cent) and additional natural, vital substances and have an energising, relaxing and regenerative effect.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for 2B HEMP GIN.