Maraschino

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Maraschino (pronounced /ˌmærəˈskiːnoʊ/ marr-ə-SKEE-noe, as in Italian, or /ˌmærəˈʃiːnoʊ/ marr-ə-SHEE-noe) is a bittersweet, clear liqueur flavored with Marasca cherries, which are grown in Dalmatia (today Croatia), mostly around city of Zadar and in Torreglia (near Padua in Northern Italy). It is one of the very few liqueurs in the world produced by distillation.

The liqueur's distinctive flavor comes from the Marasca cherries, and the crushed cherry pits lend an almond-like flavor to Maraschino. Honey is also part of the ancient recipe. The distillate is allowed to mature for two years in Finnish ashwood vats (because this wood does not lend its colour to the liqueur even after many years of maturing), and is then diluted and sugared. It is typically bottled in a straw-coated bottle.

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[edit] History

The recipe of liqueur was made and noted by the apothecaries of Zadar Dominican monastery at the beginning of 16th century, it was known under the name of Rosolj (Rožolj, Rosolio), which came from the word "ros solis"- "the sun dew". In 18th century this liqueur was named Maraschino, as it was produced from the essence of ripe fruits of the cherry marasca, as well as from the leaves of its sprigs. In the agrar regions of Dalmatia Rosolj survived as name of traditional home made liquer from marasca cherries.

At the beginning, this noble liqueur of delicate taste to which even medicinal effects were attributed, was available only to some privileged. With the appearance of the first manufactural distillers at Zadar in the 17th century (Rota, Mola and Calcengio), the secret of Rosolj (Maraschino) taste could be spread.

In 18th century when at Zadar started the industrial production of liqueurs, Maraschino set out from Zadar and "sailed" into ever more important European ports and metropolis.Soon it was accepted and favoured by all European courts (Viennesse, Berlin, English court, Bavarian, Italian, Belgium, and Danish court) and later on Maraschino spread to America, Canada, Australia, South America and to the South Africa.

Maraschino was admired even by one of the biggest conqueror of the 19th century, Napoleon Bonaparte who specially enjoyed it after dinner or supper. The French kings, Louis XVIII, Charles X and Louis Philippe as well as the Czar of Russia Nicholas I admired Maraschino too. The British king George IV sent to Zadar the military fleet for taking a hundred of Maraschino cases for the Royal court at London and for the governors of Malta and Corfu. In 1871 on the request of the English queen Victoria, Maraschino was loaded on the English ships at Zadar port. In 1887, namely on September 26th, on his way through Zadar, the Prince of Wales who later become the king George V, personally visited Zadar liqueur factory and on that occasion ordered a considerable quantity of the famous Zadar speciality. [1]

The first industrial distillery was established in 1759 by Francesco Drioli (“Fabbrica di Maraschino Drioli di Zara”). In 1821 Girolamo Luxardo, consul of the Kingdom of Sardinia in Zara (Zadar), opened a distillery there. After 8 years he obtained an exclusive "privilege" from the Emperor of Austria as an acknowledgment of the superior quality of his liqueur. It became soon the largest and most famous distillery in Zara.

Zara was dramatically touched by the Second World War. After 52 aerial bombings, most of the city (with all the historic distilleries) was destroyed. Giorgio Luxardo, the only survivor of his family built a new factory in Torreglia close to Padova, in Northern Italy. The Drioli's distillery reopened in Mira, close to Venice, but it has been closed in the 1970's. The Vlahov family sold his right to the Casoni's distillery close to Modena, that still produce the liqueur. In Zadar the Luxardo distillery was rebuilt and restarted the production under the name Maraska, today most famous Croatian Maraschino distillery. Croatian Tourist Association included Mearaschino wicker bottle in the list of authentic Croatian souvenirs [2].

[edit] Historical Maraschino brands in Zadar (before 1943)

  • Maraschino Luxardo (1821)[3]
  • Distilleria Romano Vlahov [4]
  • Fabbrica Maraschino Drioli Salghetti (1759-1943)[5]
  • Fabbrica Maraschino Stampalia
  • Distilleria Calligarich
  • Distilleria Millicich
  • Distilleria Magazzin
  • Distilleria Stanich

[edit] Distilleries sites

[edit] History links

[edit] Other links

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