grappa

noun

grap·​pa ˈgrä-pə How to pronounce grappa (audio)
: a dry colorless brandy distilled from fermented grape pomace

Examples of grappa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Warm up with a nice grappa or glass of vino at Enoteca Cortina or another one of Cortina’s buzzy, yet welcoming taverns. Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 23 Dec. 2023 The response from a manager and a bartender toward dinner’s end was to introduce my posse to a Chinese spirit poised to make an appearance on the menu: clear firewater, potent as grappa, poured from a red-and-gold flask into thimble-size shot glasses. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023 Pick up some grappa-like grape brandy, too, which most vineyards also produce. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 22 Sep. 2021 The first is citrusy, smelling and tasting like a very good grappa. Russ Parsons, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2020 That afternoon in Civetta, I was informed that a shot of grappa could improve my speed. Amy Tara Koch, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2019 Participants will also be able to try a dessert wine and digestive spirit, as well — Fattoria Montellori vin santo from Tuscany, and Marolo grappa. Carol Deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 18 Nov. 2019 The two drank grappa and smoked late into the night. Eric Sylvers, WSJ, 25 July 2018 He and a friend made grappa, an Italian brandy distilled from grape pomace, the solid residue of the winemaking process. Providence Cicero, The Seattle Times, 20 June 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grappa.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Italian dialect, grape stalk, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German krāpfo hook

First Known Use

circa 1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of grappa was circa 1893

Dictionary Entries Near grappa

Cite this Entry

“Grappa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grappa. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on grappa

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!