6.4.23.563012 - Maintenance

Release Notes

Maintenance Grappa

Quality of life fixes

Did you ever want to disable the default collision sound? Now you can! You’re unique, so is your computer, we’ve tried to recognize that more and not forget your credentials after updates to your OS or Second Life. Did you ever sit somewhere unexpected? We have too… Fixed! Improved Speak button state accuracy under certain conditions. Bulk download of textures and pics! and more… :)

UI and rendering updates

Updated favicons to match our new logo. More water reflections with ALM on!

Crash fixes

We like to think Sisyphus would respect our efforts.

Grappa

Grappa is an alcoholic beverage: a fragrant, grape-based pomace brandy of Italian origin that contains 35 to 60 percent alcohol by volume (70 to 120 US proof). Grappa is traditionally produced in Northern Italy and is also widely consumed in places like Argentina, Bulgaria, Uruguay and Galicia (better known as Spanish ourujo).

The flavor of grappa, like that of wine, depends on the type and quality of the grapes used, as well as the specifics of the distillation process. Grappa is made by distilling the skins, pulp, seeds, and stems (i.e., the pomace) left over from winemaking after pressing the grapes. It was originally made to prevent waste by using these leftovers. A similar drink, known as acquavite d’uva, is made by distilling whole must.

  1. Grappa is now a protected name in the European Union. To be called grappa, the following criteria must be met: Produced in Italy, or in the Italian part of Switzerland, or in San Marino
  2. Produced from pomace
  3. Fermentation and distillation must occur on the pomace—no added water

Criterion 2 rules out the direct fermentation of pure grape juice, which is the method used to produce brandy.

Criterion 3 has two important implications. First, the distillation must occur on solids. Thus, it is carried out not with a direct flame but with a bain-marie or steam distillation; otherwise, the pomace may burn. Second, the woody parts of the grapes (the stems and seeds) are co-fermented with the sugar-rich juice; this produces a very small amount of methanol, which is much more toxic than ethanol. Unlike in the similar process of making red wine, in grappa the methanol must be carefully removed during distillation.

That is why there is an Italian law requiring winemakers to sell their pomace to grappa makers; this is a measure that was taken against moonshine operations, which are now very rare in Italy.

Resolved Issues