GrapeHeart, the Amarone-scented gin from Enjoy Valpolicella.

GrapeHeart is the fruit of the hard work of the team from Enjoy Valpolicella, a project born from the passion and roots of three young men for their homeland, the Valpolicella, home to the great wines of Verona. The project, which started almost as a game experimenting with infusions and liqueurs from the medicinal herbs that grow wild in one of the partners' fields, has led to what we can now define as a solid reality fueled by great ideals and an love for their land.

But where did Enjoy Valpolicella originate? One evening in a wine shop, after a tasting of local wines, the spark was ignited. In conclusion, a grappa with Amarone was suggested, which did cleanse the palate but weighed down the already intense tasting that had peaked with an excellent vintage Amarone. Being gin enthusiasts, the members of Enjoy Valpolicella realized they would prefer a flavored gin, perhaps mixed with tonic water, to refresh the palate with floral and balsamic aromas.
From here, the idea: why not create a new product inspired by the scents of the hills and perfect to be paired with the excellence of the territory, the Amarone della Valpolicella?

Thus was born the idea of GrapeHeart gin, which saw the light in 2019 after more than two years of intensive work. The name “heart of grape” pays homage to this union between the world of wine and that of distillates. So, what are the characteristics of GrapeHeart gin? Let’s find out together!

Focus: brief history of Gin

Before talking about the flagship of Enjoy Valpolicella, let's focus on gin: what is it and where does it come from?
Gin has a long history. As the national drink of the Netherlands and Belgium, the origins of this spirit are somewhat uncertain. It is generally attributed to Professor Francisco Della Boe, a medical lecturer at the University of Leyden in Holland, who in the 1600s attempted to remedy stomach and kidney ailments using grain alcohol and juniper berries. This particular distillate, called Genever, and later becoming our beloved “Gin,” was initially marketed as a therapeutic oil.
Today, Gin refers to the juniper-flavored spirit, a conifer typical of cold mountain areas, whose flavor is predominant, but there are also various types that feature different spices capable of imparting unique flavors and aromatic nuances.
Today, Italian Gins are particularly renowned, to the point that production in the Bel Paese has reached very high-quality levels. An example? Our own GrapeHeart: let’s discover together the characteristics and scents of this all-Italian gin.

GrapeHeart, a tribute to the identity of Valpolicella

The philosophy of the members of Enjoy Valpolicella is deeply rooted in this land and its wonderful and vast hills, which is why the primary attempt has been to merge botanical arts with the winemaking vocation of the territory. Not surprisingly, the identity of GrapeHeart revolves around the vineyard, the heart and core of this gin.
The Amarone della Valpolicella not only gives a strong identity to the compound but also has precise organoleptic purposes: it gives body and refinement to the gin, while keeping it dynamic, simultaneously softening its liveliness.
With Grapeheart, the more floral and herbal aromas of the Valpolicella hills are exalted, a land set within a context of natural elements – the Lessini mountains, the Baldo range, Lake Garda – which ensure a privileged climate for an immense variety of flowers, plants, and roots.

The production method is unique and inimitable

Indeed, to encapsulate the scents of the Valpolicella hills, a completely customized production path has been undertaken, using the cold compounding technique, which involves cold maceration in grain alcohol and subsequent filtering of the botanicals. This method allows for optimal extraction of the most delicate floral molecules. To enhance the drier notes, a distillate obtained from the macerated botanicals was added to the compound, while spring water was used for dilution.

A dew of Amarone

Part of the botanicals has been flavored with the Amarone della Valpolicella: thanks to an ultrasound sonicater, the wine was cold vaporized, depositing a thin film on the botanicals without wetting them, like dew, a step that allows for the characteristic amber coloration of GrapeHeart. The botanicals were then re-dried before being macerated in alcohol.
In short, the production involves a great number of precise steps.

What are the aromas of GrapeHeart? On the nose, it presents an intense and enchanting profile: the medicinal plants and flowers make their entrance immediately, giving way to the balsamic scent of juniper. On the palate, the floral component allows for a soft entry, then refreshed by the citrus notes of verbena and cedrat thyme. Gradually, the dry character of the juniper becomes more prominent, while the bitter component of the herbs emerges in the finish. The Amarone scent ties the hilly botanicals together, making the gin well-balanced and harmonious.

A true delight for the senses! Let’s see together how to best enhance the aromas of this delicious gin.

GrapeHeart: how to enjoy it, serving suggestions, and cocktails

GrapeHeart is perfect for a tasting at the end of the evening or halfway through dinner, in which case preferably at half measure and mixed with a fragrant tonic or ginger beer, possibly with minimal garnishing. For a classic Gin & Tonic after the meal, a drier and more neutral tonic is recommended. It is suggested to avoid using intense aroma garnishes like lemon peels, rosemary, and cucumber, and instead to hang them at the top of the glass, avoiding contact with the cocktail.
Of course, it can also be enjoyed neat in a chilled glass, allowing the bottle to breathe with the cap open for at least 5 minutes after opening, just like a good wine.

If you’re a fan of gin-based cocktails, we suggest the recipe for Bijou, which features our GrapeHeart.
You will need: • 40ml of GrapeHeart Gin • 20ml of Green Chartreuse • 20ml of Sweet Vermouth • 2 dashes of Orange Bitters.

To make this cocktail, you will need to use the “Stir & Strain" technique, which means, instead of shaking vigorously, you should gently mix the ingredients with the help of a bar spoon inside a mixing glass, clearly pre-chilled. Place the Martini glass in the fridge: remember that your cocktail should be very cold before serving! At this point, all that's left is to garnish, perhaps with a Black Olive or a Maraschino Cherry. The result is guaranteed.

All that's left is for you to try it: come take a look on our portal, you won't regret it!

S&M