Vermouth is a classic, elegant aperitif that originated in 19th-century Italy. It is a sweet wine fortified with alcohol and flavoured with an infusion of plants.
History of vermouth
Vermouth was created in 1786 by an Italian pharmacist called Antonio Benedetto Carpano in Turin. He wanted to create a beverage that was both pleasant to drink and had medicinal properties.
So he mixed wine with herbs and aromatic plants to create a refreshing and invigorating beverage. Its name derives from the German ‘Wermut’, meaning ‘absinthe’, in reference to the highly aromatic plant used in its production.
This aperitif quickly met with great success, and even King Victor-Emmanuel II made it the official drink of the court of the House of Savoy.
Vermouth was extremely popular until the 1940s and 1950s. It gained worldwide popularity thanks to its unique flavour and versatility in cocktails.
Properties of vermouth
The composition of vermouth can vary from brand to brand and style to style, but in general it consists of a white wine fortified by the addition of alcohol, enriched with a blend of herbs such as artemisia, gentian, coriander, bitter orange peel and other mysterious ingredients. The alcohol content of Vermouth must be between 14.5 and 22º. Its sugar content can vary, as can its colour with the addition of caramel.
Vermouths are often categorised according to their sugar content:
* extra dry or extra secco ;
* dry or secco ;
* Sweet or dolce.
Some Vermouths, such as Chambéry Vermouth or Torino Vermouth, have a protected designation of origin (AOC). There are white Vermouths (Bianco) and red Vermouths (Rosso).
This complex combination gives Vermouth its distinctive bitter yet aromatic taste, perfect for enjoying on its own or mixed into sophisticated cocktails.
Our Vermouth Veirado is handcrafted in our distillery in Haute Provence. It is a harmonious blend of natural sweet wine from Beaumes de Venise, a selection of organic aromatic plants harvested on the plateau of Sault and organic honey from Brantes.
How to drink Vermouth
Vermouth can be enjoyed on its own ‘on the rocks’ or paired beautifully with spirits, particularly our Mistello Gin. Gins and Vermouths are made for each other because they share a common language: that of plants and aromas.
Vermouth will also work wonders in cocktails with other spirits, such as whisky in a Manhattan or rum in El Presidente.
Vermouth is much more than just a flavoured drink; it’s a true work of culinary art with a fascinating history, a complex composition and infinite versatility in mixology.
Whether enjoyed neat over ice or prepared in an elaborate cocktail, Vermouth continues to charm drink lovers the world over. Enjoy!
