Marzadro Chardonnay Grappa Giare 70CL

Born from the ashes and poverty of post WW2 Northern Italy, Marzadro Distillery was not an overnight success. Bored with her job as a domestic servant, Sabina Marzadro founded the business in 1949. It was a hard slog but Sabina had two big things in her favour: Pristine botanicals of Italy’s alpine Trentio region and a burning desire to make great grappa.

Slowly but surely Marzadro perfected their skills, developing some of Italy’s finest grappas and adding liqueurs, amaro, whisky, cremes and herbal distillations along the way.

Nowadays run by Sabina’s grandchildren, Marzadro is based in the beautiful mediaeval mountain village of Nogaredo, nestled in the Dolomites just north of Lake Garda. Their drinks are top quality, commanding massive respect in Italy’s hard to impress distilling sector. Artifex hold by far the UK’s biggest range of their products.  Get some.

A single-grape grappa of exceptional purity and finesse, Marzadro Giare Chardonnay Grappa is a beautiful expression of Italian distilling mastery. Presented in a 70 cl bottle at an optimal 45% ABV, this aged spirit offers a sophisticated sensory experience that captures the delicate character of the world's most renowned white grape variety.

Tasting Notes

On the nose, this grappa reveals a fine and elegant fragrance marked by delicate floral undertones, ripe apples, and citrus fruits, layered with warm notes of spicy oak and a hint of vanilla. 

On the palate, the structure is impressively soft, supple, and full-bodied, yet completely dry. It unfolds into a velvety, mouth-filling texture where the ripe fruit and grapes harmonise beautifully with subtle woody accents. 

The finish is remarkably long-lasting, clean, and pleasantly captivating.

Estate History & Distilling Methods

The prestigious Marzadro distillery, located in the heart of the Trentino region, comes to life each autumn when the grape harvest draws to a close. For one hundred days from September to December, the distillery operates around the clock to process freshly delivered, carefully selected pomace from local wineries.

The name Le Giare is dedicated to the memory of the injustices suffered by women accused of witchcraft in the village of Giare within the municipality of Nogaredo around 1646.

Crafted with deep respect for local tradition, the grappa is obtained by distilling the Chardonnay marc using a traditional Bagnomaria method in a discontinuous water-bath pot still. This slow steam distillation retains the authentic varietal flavours. The resulting distillate is then matured for a period of at least 36 months in small oak barrels of 225 litres. Throughout this aging process, the Master Distiller closely monitors the evolution of the blend, continuously checking the development of scents and aromas to achieve a unique, harmonious balance.

Serving & Cocktail Suggestions

This refined spirit is excellent to taste smooth after a meal, served at a recommended temperature of 16°C in a classic tulip-shaped grappa glass to allow the complex aromas to concentrate.

For a contemporary twist, it can be utilised in sophisticated cocktails. Try it in a Grappa Old Fashioned by stirring the spirit over ice with a touch of brown sugar syrup and a dash of aromatic bitters, or use it to elevate a classic Sour by shaking it with fresh lemon juice, sugar syrup, and egg white for a velvety, frothy drink. It also functions wonderfully as a traditional Caffè Corretto, adding a rich, warming dimension to a freshly brewed espresso.

Food Matchings

At the end of a dinner, this aged Chardonnay grappa pairs beautifully with dry pastries, almond biscuits, or a light fruit tart. It pairs exquisitely with premium dark chocolate, as the oak and vanilla notes cut through the bitterness of the cocoa. For a savoury alternative, try serving it alongside a board of matured, hard cheeses such as Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino, where the dryness and structure of the spirit complement the rich, savoury crystals of the cheese.