Marc

Marc is the spirit made by distillation of fermented mashes based on grape marc — the pomace of skins, seeds and stems left after grapes are pressed for wine. Known as grappa in Italy, marc in France and aguardente bagaceira in Portugal, it is a traditional pomace brandy: the fermented pomace is distilled, often in copper pot or column stills, to capture fruity, rustic aromas. Because pomace fermentation and distillation can concentrate methanol (from pectin) and ethyl carbamate precursors, production must be carefully controlled — sound pomace, hygienic fermentation, proper heads/tails cuts — and the spirit must meet legal limits for methanol and compositional standards for the protected spirit name.