Vermouth: Styles, Serving and Cocktails
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"Wormwood, spices and tradition: the elixir that defines aperitif hour and elevates classic cocktails."
History, Composition and Botanicals
Vermouth is a wine flavored with botanicals, fortified with alcohol and balanced with sugar. Its name comes from the German "wermut", meaning wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), the bitter botanical that defines it. From the medicinal potions attributed to classical antiquity to its commercial birth in Turin at the hands of Antonio Benedetto Carpano in 1786, and the historic houses of Reus (Spain) and Chambéry (France), vermouth went from tonic to pillar of the aperitif and classic cocktails.
Unlike distilled spirits, vermouth is made with at least 75% base wine, usually neutral white, to which a maceration of herbs, roots, barks, seeds and flowers is added: cardamom, gentian, chamomile, clove, cinnamon, juniper and citrus peels, among many others.
Vermouths at La Cava Shop
- Gran Bassano Poli Red Vermouth 750 ml: the classic red style, with warm spices and an elegant bitter finish, to serve over ice with orange or in a Negroni.
- Gran Bassano Poli White Vermouth 750 ml: the Bianco style, floral and citrusy, to serve cold with a lemon twist or with tonic.
- Yzaguirre Kosher Vermouth 1 L: a kosher option in a one-liter format, from the house of Reus.
- Clos Pons Vermouth 750 ml: a vermouth-style fortified wine for the aperitif.
If you enjoy the aperitif, also explore the fortified wines and the kosher wines.
Styles and Serving
- Red (Rosso): of Italian origin, sweetened with caramelized sugar, mahogany in color, with notes of cinnamon, clove and vanilla.
- White (Bianco): sweet but without dark caramel, with citrus and floral notes of chamomile, bitter orange and vanilla.
- Dry: of French tradition, with less than 50 g/L of sugar, herbal and dry, indispensable for the Martini.
- Rosé: a contemporary interpretation with notes of red fruit, hibiscus and grapefruit.
Serve vermouth very cold, between 6 °C and 8 °C, in a short glass with solid ice. A slice or peel of orange brings out red vermouth; a twist of lemon or grapefruit, the white or dry. It goes well with olives, gildas, anchovies in vinegar, potato chips, nuts and aged cheeses.
Frequently Asked Questions about Vermouth
What exactly is vermouth?
Vermouth is a wine flavored with botanicals (herbs, roots and flowers), fortified with alcohol and balanced with sugar. Its defining ingredient is wormwood (Artemisia absinthium).
How should vermouth be stored once opened?
Because it is wine-based, vermouth oxidizes. Once opened, keep it in the refrigerator and drink it within 4 to 6 weeks to preserve its botanical aromas.
What is the difference between red and white vermouth?
Red vermouth (Italian style) is usually sweetened with caramelized sugar and emphasizes warm spices such as cinnamon and clove. White (Bianco) uses uncaramelized sugar and shows floral, citrus and vanilla notes.
Which vermouths are available at La Cava Shop?
The Gran Bassano Poli Red and White Vermouth in 750 ml, the Yzaguirre Kosher Vermouth in 1 L and the Clos Pons Vermouth in 750 ml, a fortified wine.
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