Never look a gift horse...

I am a man of few demands when it comes to what constitutes an enjoyable night out. Good food, good company and good drink usually clinches the deal. Even two out of three is usually sufficient.

So imagine my delight on a recent night out when I got all three and an extra special surprise. A top notch meal, family and friends and a lovely Argentinian red - PLUS a free bottle of grappa (pictured right).

My host had a few bottles in his cupboard and asked if I would like one. Well, who was I to refuse?

I had the chance to sample it at the weekend and it is not half bad. I have got a taste for Moscato grappas of late even if they are a little bit on the perfumey side for some people's liking. I find them, in general, to have a little bit of the roughness I like without being downright undrinkable. The grappa equivalent of a rustic Tuscan farmhouse which at least has double glazing and central heating installed.

Anyway, one of the funniest parts of the bottle is that it has measuring marks down the side. It reminds me of a giant test tube. Still, handy for checking how much I drink the next time Martino comes to visit. Although, usually only the zero millilitre marker is any use after that.

Grappa Ma Raki update (see below)

Aniseed!!! Yeeeeuccchhhhh!

If you didn't know by now then remember unless it says Prodotta in Italia on the bottle stay well clear of anything claiming to be grappa.

Looks can be deceptive

This is the grappa I was served in Librizzi's in Edinburgh on Friday night. Have you ever seen such a dark grappa? It was almost like a malt whisky in colour. The owner explained that it was a Francoli grappa that had been matured in oak for 18 months and that's what gave it such a dark colour.

Although it didn't look like a grappa I'm pleased to say that it certainly smelled and tasted like a grappa.

As did the second one I had just to make sure.