Marzadro Forte Bivitigno Grappa 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.

Italy, along with France is probably the world leader for food and drink quality. Mediocrity just isn’t tolerated at all.  Marzadro’s Forte Bivitigno Grappa grappa upholds these standards and then some.  

Tasting Notes

•    Colour: Crystal clear and perfectly transparent.
•    Nose: A deeply perfumed, assertive, and powerful aroma. The bouquet releases immediate hints of ripe forest fruits mixed with delicate, fresh nuances of alpine herbs.
•    Palate: Robust, rich, and remarkably full-bodied. It delivers an enveloping warmth that is elegantly structured.
•    Finish: Exceptionally long and persistent, leaving a beautifully warm aftertaste alongside subtle, lingering spicy notes.

Product Overview

Marzadro Grappa Forte is a bold and distinctive expression crafted to deliver an intense sensory experience. Bottled at a powerful alcohol content of 50% ABV, this premium spirit stands out for its strong and decisive character, which sits a full ten points above standard bottlings to truly enhance its deep aromatic complexity. This particular bottling is presented in a sleek 70 cl format, making it a standout addition to any fine spirits collection.

Estate History & Distilling Methods

Forte belongs to Marzadro's bivitigno series, which expertly pairs two local grape varieties that harmonise flawlessly. It is crafted from the high-quality grape pomace of two native red varieties: Teroldego, grown in the well-suited soils of Piana Rotaliana, and Marzemino, harvested from the sub-hilly slopes on the right bank of the Adige River.

To preserve the delicate compounds of these regional vines, distillation takes place slowly using a traditional hot water bath method inside a discontinuous steam alembic still. This batch-style bain-marie technique handles the ingredients gently, guaranteeing optimal results by fully retaining all the original fragrances and natural aromas of the grapes.

Serving & Cocktail Suggestions

•    Perfect Serve: Best enjoyed neat as a classic digestif at a comfortable room temperature to fully appreciate its robust profile.
•    Cocktail Idea: Its high proof makes it an excellent base for a Grappa Negroni or a sophisticated twist on an Old Fashioned, where the spirit's bold structure cuts cleanly through sweet vermouth and aromatic bitters.
•    Food Matching: This powerful spirit pairs beautifully at the end of a meal with rich dark chocolate, artisanal fruit tarts, or mature, hard cheeses. It also makes an exceptional partner to a strong espresso for a traditional Italian Caffè Corretto.