Grappa Chocolates: the Ultimate After Dinner Treat

Grappa is a beguiling Italian distilled spirit that is somewhat difficult to categorize. Italians drink it in coffee and more recently add it to cocktails, but it is most commonly enjoyed as a digestif after meals. So it should come as no surprise that it can be paired with another after dinner treat, chocolate. Inspired by this combination, some distillers have collaborated with chocolatiers to create grappa filled chocolate.

What is Grappa?

Grappa is made by distilling pomace (grape skins and seeds leftover from winemaking), as opposed to brandy, which is made by distilling fermented grapes. Some grappa has flavors reminiscent of grapes, while some doesn’t. Traditionally grappa was not aged, but these days distillers are experimenting and aging it and even putting it in amphora. Grappa is produced from many different grape varieties. If any specific variety exceeds 15% it must be listed on the label in ascending order.

There are several different styles of grappa. Grappa Giovane (Unaged) is literally young grappa, a crystal clear product bottled after a short rest in steel tanks. Grappa Invecchiata (Aged) is matured in oak barrels for 12 to 18 months, light golden color and a more rounded character picking up spice notes from the barrel. Grappa Barricata is grappa also aged for 12 to 18 months, but in small wooden casks called barriques. The resulting product is a deep golden color has richer flavors such as tobacco, butter and cream. Finally, Grappa Stravecchia (Very Old) is aged in oak barrels for more than 18 months. It takes on a golden amber color and has even more intense flavors from the barrel.

Grappa Filled Chocolates

While grappa is an original Italian spirit, it is also very popular with German, Austrian and Swiss visitors to Italy and distillers have created a variety of grappa infused products to enjoy including cakes and candies. Many distillers produce chocolate filled with grappa. Here are a few.

Grappa Nonino Lindt 70% Dark Chocolate Grappa Nonino Pralines

“You can never go wrong pairing grappa and chocolate!” says sixth-generation dynamo Francesca Nonino of Grappa Nonino. Founded in 1897, the family-owned company nestles in northeastern Italy’s Friuli region. Thanks to innovation and determination, the female-owned company earned Wine Enthusiast’s “Best Distillery in the World” in 2019.

Nonino partners with famed Swiss chocolatier Lindt for their proprietary, 70% dark Lindt Praline with Grappa Nonino Monovitigno® Moscato. (They also offer a Lindt Praline with Amaro Nonino.) “Grappa’s dryness as a spirit balances with the sweetness of chocolate very well,” says Nonino. “Cleansing the palate, to make it ready for the next bite, and adding an amazing, long finish to the chocolate flavor.”

Because the liqueur-filled grappa and amaro remain liquid inside, the entire praline requires consumption in one, delectable bite.

Known for grappa made from single varietals, the Grappa Nonino Monovitigno® Moscato is aged for 6-12 months in stainless steel. “Grappa offers the palate an incredible variety of aromatic notes, just like chocolate, which is why this combination comes together with such elegance,” says Nonino. “We distill using only the freshest pomace, and 100% artisanal method, so our grappa tastes smooth, round, and flavorful, a tasting sensation that perfectly matches the creaminess of chocolate!“

Mazzetti D’Altavilla Baratti & Milano Pralines With Mazzetti® Gold Liquor Filling

Mazzetti d’Altavilla claims fame as Italy’s second oldest grappa producer. Founded in 1846, their compelling Baratti & Milano Pralines With Mazzetti® Gold Liquor Filling proves a perfect pairing of confections - and perfections. “The idea was to create something that could combine the two products, and so was created our “Pralina” with the cream of Liquor Oro di Mazzetti,” says Claudio Galletto of Mazzetti D’Altavilla. “This product is appreciated by a big variety of people, because the alcoholic level is not so high, and the liquor is very delicate and mild.”

The collaboration compliments two ancient Italian companies. Both Baratti & Milano Italian Chocolate, and Mazzetti d’Altavilla distillery share consumers who “appreciate excellence,” says Galletto. “The collaboration between two very ancient Piedmontese companies produce two complementary excellences: chocolate and Grappa.” This ode to excellence reflects in Mazzetti’s trademark liquor, which contains flecks of 23-carat gold derived from thin, food-grade sheets of gold. “Gold is considered a noble metal, and the effect inside the bottle of liquor is really fascinating,” explains Galletto. “The pieces seem to stay fixed, thanks to the particular shape of the bottle (that slows the fall), and the density of the liquor.”

Due to lack of visibility inside the chocolate, the praline liquor does not contain gold pieces. Instead, the exterior packaging reproduces the gold flakes. Look for these exclusive sweetmeats during fall and holiday seasons.

Also sometimes available is Grappa Hearts, a box of grappa filled chocolate hearts. Each box has six chocolates filled with liqueur made from grappa and coffee, six chocolates with Oro di Mazzetti®, a liqueur made from Grappa di Moscato and with micro flakes of food-grade 23 carat gold and finally six chocolates with Grappa di Moscato.

Poli Distillerie Camille Bloch Grappa Chocolates

“Grappa and chocolate make a perfect match,” concurs Chiara Odierna, of Poli Distillerie. Founded in 1898 near Venice, Poli Distillerie partners with Swiss chocolatier Camille Bloch for their unique, liqueur-filled chocolates. “With Camille Bloch, we wanted to unite them indissolubly, to create the first and only dark chocolate filled with liquid Grappa, without a sugar crust,” says Odierna. Read more about the sugar crust process.

The partnership derives from shared values: respect for family traditions, high-quality materials, loyalty to niche markets, and modern technology. “The complete sharing of values and production philosophy set the stage for being contacted and chosen by Camille Bloch to establish this successful partnership,” notes Odierna. Prior to partnering, Poli Distillerie owner Jacopo Poli visited Camille Bloch’s headquarters in Bern several times. “it is an absolutely interesting experience,” admits Poli. “To see how chocolate is processed, and the special equipment that allows Camille Bloch to produce chocolate bars filled with distillate, without the need for an internal sugar crust.” High- end Swiss, Italian, and European clientele favor these treats, available between September and June (to avoid melting the precious, sugar crust-less sweets.)

So, bite or sip? Both, obviously, thanks to these ingenious Italian grappa and chocolate pairings.