ÙE Fragolino: whole grapes and a memory of woodland fruit
A grape spirit at 38% vol., with a character recalling blueberry and woodland berries.
Stainless steel vats photographed at Nonino, Percoto, 2025. Naturpuur, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. A document of the distillery’s equipment, without identifying a particular batch.
Naturpuur · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Original document · CC BY-SA 4.0
A spirit built around the whole grape
ÙE is the grape spirit created by Nonino in 1984. Skin, flesh and juice are distilled in one operation. That is a fundamental difference from grappa, which is made from the pomace left after winemaking.
Il Fragolino uses the grape of that name, harvested when ripe. Following fermentation and batch distillation in copper steam stills, the spirit rests for six months to a year in stainless steel. This expression does not seek flavours from a wooden barrel.
Woodland fruit, not strawberry liqueur
The producer describes an aromatic expression recalling blueberry and woodland berries. Fruit takes the lead, but within a distilled spirit: it should not be mistaken for the sweet texture of a berry liqueur.
Fragolino can be confused with the name Fragolina. On our menu, Fragolina Mazzetti is a wild strawberry liqueur; ÙE Fragolino Nonino is a grape spirit. They do not describe the same fruit or the same experience on the palate.
Choosing fruit without oak
We offer a 4 cl measure at 38% vol. Blueberry, woodland berries, grape, fruity and grape spirit are useful search terms.
When guiding a guest, the key is an aromatic fruit character on a spirit’s structure. Comparing it with Malvasia, more restrained and inclined towards pear and apricot, reveals another expression of the whole grape.
Sources and further reading
Original photographic document
Explore our related archives
ÙE: the whole grape becomes a spirit →
Nonino: grappa, ÙE and amaro →
Fragolina Mazzetti: wild strawberry liqueur →
