Albis Liqueur Grape Brandy

Wild Fennel Grape Marc Brandy – 40% Vol.

The wild soul of Sardinia in a distillate that tells ancient stories.

The Albis Liqueur, Brandy from the Grape Marc of the Mucilla Agricultural Cooperative

Albis Liquore Acquavite di Vinaccia (Marc Distillate) from the Mucilla Agricultural Cooperative is a craft spirit that embodies the most authentic essence of the Mediterranean liqueur tradition, where the skill of distillation meets the spontaneous fragrance of aromatic Mediterranean herbs. This refined spirit is born from the patient distillation of pomace from Sardinian vineyards, enriched with an infusion of wild fennel harvested by hand from the island's uncultivated lands, creating a liqueur with a bold yet elegant character, powerful yet harmonious, perfectly balancing the grappa's vigorous structure with the aniseed-like, slightly citrusy freshness of fennel.

The name "Albis" evokes the crystalline, transparent color of this spirit, which, despite containing plant extracts, maintains an adamantine clarity, a testament to the purity of the ingredients and the mastery of the distillation process. Unlike industrial grappas produced in large facilities using rapid methods, this brandy is distilled following the slow pace of craftsmanship: the fresh, still-aromatic pomace is distilled in traditional copper stills that allow for precise separation of the fractions, discarding the "head" and "tail" to preserve only the "heart" of the spirit, the noble part where the finest aromas and purest alcohol reside.

The wild fennel infusion is cold-pressed, allowing the seeds and umbels of the wild plant to macerate in the distillate for weeks, allowing the essential oils to slowly release and blend with the brandy without altering its structure. The result is a liqueur with a complex and layered aromatic bouquet: on the nose, fresh notes of green anise and fennel emerge, followed by herbaceous hints of Mediterranean scrub and the vinous character of the pomace. On the palate, the enveloping smoothness gives way to a balsamic freshness that cleanses and invigorates, concluding with a lingering, slightly spicy and pleasantly warm finish. A spirit that captures the true essence of Sardinia, that of pastoral traditions and the wild scents that permeate the air on warm summer evenings.
 
 
 

The roots of the grape marc brandy lie in the Mediterranean peasant civilization.

Grape marc brandy, known in Italy as grappa and by various names in other wine-producing regions around the world (marc in France, orujo in Spain, bagaço in Portugal, tsipouro in Greece), is one of the oldest distilled beverages in the Mediterranean and European tradition. The first documented evidence of grape marc distillation dates back to the 11th century at the Salerno Medical School, where monks and doctors experimented with the alchemical art of distillation to obtain "aqua vitae" (water of life) for medicinal purposes. However, it's likely that the practice was much older, passed down orally in the countryside where nothing of the precious grape harvest was wasted.

In Sardinia, a land of ancient winemaking traditions dating back to the Nuragic and Phoenician eras, grape marc distillation became a fundamental rural practice: after the grape harvest and winemaking, the spent grape marc (skins, seeds, and stalks) was collected and distilled to produce a strong, distinctive brandy that served as a warming drink on cold winter evenings, a digestive after hearty meals, a wound disinfectant, and a valuable ingredient in preparing medicinal liqueurs infused with wild Mediterranean herbs.

The use of wild fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) in Sardinian liqueurs dates back thousands of years. This aromatic plant grows wild throughout the island, preferring arid and stony soils, and was considered sacred by ancient populations for its digestive, carminative, and purifying properties. Sardinian shepherds chewed fennel seeds after meals to aid digestion, while women prepared herbal teas and infusions to relieve colic and intestinal disorders. The pairing of grape marc brandy and wild fennel stems from folk wisdom that recognized fennel's ability to soften the harshness of young grappa, adding aromatic complexity and enhancing the distillate's digestive properties. The Mucilla Agricultural Cooperative preserves this intangible heritage by producing a brandy that respects traditional methods while guaranteeing the quality and safety required by modern food legislation.
 
 
 

Choosing Albis Liqueur Grape Brandy means appreciating tradition

Albis Grape Marmalade, consumed in moderation and mindfully, as is typical of Mediterranean drinking culture, can offer some traditionally recognized benefits. Wild fennel has historically been prized for its digestive and carminative properties: its essential oils, particularly anethole, promote gastric motility, reduce bloating, and facilitate the elimination of intestinal gas. For this reason, a small glass of this liqueur after a hearty meal is traditionally considered an effective digestif, helping to "close" the meal and aid digestion.

The essential oils of wild fennel also contain phenolic compounds and flavonoids with antioxidant properties. Although present in small quantities in the distillate, they contribute to the aromatic profile and organoleptic characteristics of the liqueur. Sardinian herbal tradition attributed fennel with expectorant, purifying, and tonic properties, which is why it was used not only in cooking but also in the preparation of home remedies.

Grape marc brandy, obtained from the distillation of grape skins, retains aromatic traces of the polyphenols and varietal aromas of the original grape, although the distillation process primarily concentrates the alcohol component. It's important to emphasize that, as it's a spirit with a significant alcohol content (40% vol.), it should be consumed exclusively by adults, with extreme moderation and awareness. Mediterranean drinking culture teaches that these liqueurs should be enjoyed slowly, in small quantities, as a convivial moment and the ritual conclusion of a meal, never as a thirst-quenching beverage or for daily consumption.
 
 
 

How to Best Use: Albis Liqueur Grape Brandy

• TRADITIONAL DIGESTIVE SERVED NEUTRAL AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
  Serve Albis Liqueur in small liqueur glasses at room temperature (18-20°C) as a digestive after important meals, accompanied by Traditional Almond Cantuccio. Also perfect as an accompaniment to Seasoned Ancestral Pecorino 200g  o 71% organic dark chocolate 100g  which enhance its aromatic complexity by creating fascinating contrasts between sweet and balsamic.
• Aromatic base for Mediterranean cocktails and creative mixing
  Use Albis Brandy as a distinctive ingredient for creative cocktails: mix it with juice organic pink grapefruit 1kg cool, Prosecco and a pinch of sea salt for a refreshing Mediterranean aperitif; or create an alternative Spritz by mixing it with Vermentino white wine, sparkling water and a slice of tarocco orange. Also perfect for flavoring caffe corretto or added to hot red tea with honey on winter evenings.
• GOURMET INGREDIENT FOR DESSERTS AND CULINARY PREPARATIONS
  Add a few spoonfuls of Albis Brandy to flavour sorbets citrus fruits , scented panna cotta, or to flambé caramelized fruit. Use it to blend risotto al chicory or marinate salmon for Mediterranean gravlax with fennel seeds.

The Producer: Mucilla Agricultural Cooperative

The Mucilla Agricultural Cooperative is a Sardinian excellence, uniting small local producers committed to promoting the island's agricultural and food traditions. With profound respect for artisanal methods passed down through generations and a focus on the quality of native ingredients, the cooperative produces liqueurs and spirits that capture the aromas and flavors of authentic Sardinia: the Mediterranean scrub, sun-kissed vineyards, and the wild herbs that grow freely in the island's pristine soil.
 
 
 

Ingredients

Grape marc brandy, wild fennel. Any sediment is due to the use of natural ingredients.
 
 
 

Product Features

• Alcoholic strength: 40% vol.
• Type: Flavoured grape marc brandy
• Appearance: Clear and crystalline
• Aromatic profile: Notes of wild fennel, green anise, Mediterranean scrub
• Recommended serving temperature: 18-20°C
• Storage: In a cool, dry place, away from direct light

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