Marzadro Olive Liqueur (Olia Del Garda) 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 Olia del Garda upholds these standards and then some, capturing the essence of the Mediterranean.

Tasting Notes

•    Colour: Captivating amber with warm copper highlights.
•    Nose: A multi-layered, aromatic bouquet revealing diverse aromas of fresh olives, mountain herbs, and hints of wild fruit, finished with a pleasantly bitter undertone.
•    Palate: Uniquely complex, smooth, and full-bodied. The entry delivers a rich and oily texture on the palate, perfectly balancing a refreshing note of bitterness with a surprisingly sweet, fruity extract.

Distilling Methods

The Marzadro family preserves their rich heritage through state-of-the-art batch still copper distillation.

Olia del Garda pays tribute to a historic recipe native to Lake Garda, recently reimagined by Antonio De Carli. To produce this distinct spirit, select local olives are subjected to cold maceration alongside aromatic spices including cinnamon, cloves, and lemon peel. This careful infusion takes place inside pure white Marzadro Grappa for a variable timeframe lasting between 40 and 50 days, flawlessly uniting regional flavours.

Serving & Cocktail Suggestions

•    Neat or On the Rocks: Savour it thoroughly chilled or poured over ice in a rustic tumbler to appreciate its intricate herbal and spicy freshness.
•    The Garda Spritz: Combine 40 ml of Olia del Garda with 60 ml of dry Prosecco and a splash of soda water. Serve in a wine glass with ice, garnished with a green olive and a strip of lemon zest.
•    Olive Grappa Negroni: For a Mediterranean twist on a classic, mix equal parts Olia del Garda, London Dry Gin, and sweet red Vermouth. Stir with ice and strain into a rocks glass.

Food Pairings

This savoury-sweet liqueur makes a magnificent companion to regional Italian appetisers. Pair it alongside artisanal charcuterie, salted almonds, and mature cheeses like Pecorino or seasoned Asiago. It also serves as an exceptional digestif to finish a meal featuring grilled Mediterranean vegetables, herbaceous lamb dishes, or olive oil cake.

Product Details

•    Bottle Size: 70 cl
•    Alcohol by Volume (% ABV): 40% ABV