Aromatic Expressions

Espressioni Aromatica, four years in barrique for two aromatic vines

The Espressioni Aromatica from Marzadro is a Grappa Riserva made from Gewürztraminer and Müller-Thurgau pomace, aged for four years in oak barriques. Amber-colored, aromatic, and wonderfully mild despite its 43% ABV – limited to 2,500 bottles per year.

Espressioni Aromatica is the Distilleria Marzadro’s Grappa Riserva for all those who love fragrance: Gewürztraminer and Müller-Thurgau, the two most aromatic grape varieties of the Trentino region, are distilled separately and only then blended into a cuvée. This spirit rests for four years in oak barriques—as long as some red wines. Only 2,500 bottles are produced each year.

It glows amber in the glass, and in the nose, the Gewürztraminer blossoms: aromatic, floral, and full of fruit. On the palate, it becomes fruity and soft, layered with gentle woody notes and hints of vanilla from the cask. And then the surprise – 43% ABV that feels like much less. Impressive.

Floral, fruity, astonishingly soft

The Espressioni Aromatica smells of blossoms and ripe fruit, tastes fruity and mild, and carries its 43% ABV with remarkable ease.

This softness comes from the interplay of vine and time: the Gewürztraminer brings its floral aroma, the Müller-Thurgau its fine, light fruit—and four years in barrique add the gentle woody notes and vanilla tones on top. The longer a distillate rests in an oak cask, the rounder its edges become. After four years, there are hardly any left.

A grappa often chosen as a gift

The Espressioni Aromatica comes in a round gift box—intended for moments when a bottle should say more than a card.

Served neat at room temperature, it belongs in a glass that tapers toward the top so its fragrance remains trapped inside. It makes a wonderful digestif after a festive meal, and because it is so mild, even newcomers will find it easy to enjoy. For those who want to taste more from this limited line: alongside the Aromatica, there is the Espressioni Solera made using the solera method—both are available together in the Grappa Geschenkset Espressioni.

One hundred days of distilling in Trentino

Between September and December, the Marzadro distillery runs around the clock for one hundred days—only then is the pomace fresh enough for this level of quality.

Andrea Marzadro selects the raw materials personally, and the pomace arrives at the distillery still moist from the must so that the fragrance and aroma of the grape variety are preserved. Distillation takes place in a bain-marie, in discontinuous copper stills, as is the custom in Trentino. Copper conducts heat particularly evenly—and even heat makes the spirit soft. A control system monitors every phase to ensure the pomace maintains a consistent temperature: ancient craftsmanship and modern technology, hand in hand.

This story began in 1949, when Sabina Marzadro learned to distill not far from Lake Garda and made grappa from the pomace of neighboring winemakers. Today, the third generation runs the house, and the Espressioni line is their magnum opus: aged the longest, produced in the smallest quantities, and re-released every year. Four years in barrique requires patience and storage space—the family has both. You can find all Marzadro grappas gathered here.

Light chocolate shares its vanilla

The Espressioni Aromatica is poured into the glass at room temperature and needs a few minutes to breathe—only then does the Gewürztraminer truly open up. After a meal, it is a soft finishing touch; paired with a piece of light chocolate, it makes for a fine couple, as both share that vanilla note. And if the 2,500 bottles of a vintage are all gone, it means waiting—until the next one has turned four years old.