Vermouth & Aperitif

Producer Description 

Carpano Antica Formula is hailed as the "King of Vermouth" by master mixologists and was created by the inventor of modern vermouth. Enhance any cocktail with rich, dark notes of licorice, herbs, figs, cocoa and sweet cinnamon. The most recommended vermouth for Manhattans and Negronis.

The nose has a strong bouquet of vanilla with spice, citrus and subtle notes of almonds, raisins and cloves. The palate is well rounded with a rich vanilla taste. The finish has bitter orange and date notes with a subtle hint of cocoa beans and saffron.

Expert Review

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | Rich, fruity and enticing, this sweet vermouth is warmed with notes of fig and dried cherries, and just faint hints of spiced gingerbread and bitter orange peel. Drinkable solo as an aperitif, or use it as a cocktail-mixing favorite.

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Producer Description 

A dry vermouth made with a delicate wine base and more than 30 Alpine herbs. It is light, fresh, and clean, with a subtle and complex palate. It is an ideal aperitif or accompaniment to raw shellfish, goat cheese, or pesto. Producer Description.

Producer Description 

The last remaining example of appellation Vermouth di Torino to comply with all of the classical requirements, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino has been produced since 1891. Cocchi uses estate Moscato as the wine base, and vibrant, spicy botanicals such as cocoa, citrus, ginger, and rhubarb.

In contrast with other popular Italian vermouths, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino retains wines of Piedmont as the base and avoids a heavy sheen of vanilla or caramel that clashes with other cocktail ingredients. Delicious when poured on ice and a small lemon zest, but also an essential base for the creation of the most classic cocktails from Negroni to Manhattan. Cocchi has produced wine-based aperitifs and traditional Piemontese sparkling wines since 1891.

Giulio Cocchi was a young and creative pastry chef from Florence, where he worked in a popular bar located in Piazza del Duomo. In the late nineteenth century he moved to Asti, a small but lively town in northwest Italy, not far from Torino, and established himself as a distiller and winemaker.

Producer Description 

At its heart is wine blended with rich Italian herbs: Artemisia, Summer Savory and Dittany balanced with exotic bitter-sweet woods. Its complex and alluring taste has made MARTINI Rosso the key ingredient for several iconic cocktails such as the Negroni or Manhattan. 

Expert Review

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | Cola hue. Sensuous nose features ginger, prunes, sap and bark aromas. In the mouth, its supple, sweet, winey and almost Sherry-like at entry, then at midpalate citrus and grape flavors appear. Finishes luscious and semisweet.

At its heart is wine blended with rich Italian herbs: Artemisia, Summer Savory and Dittany balanced with exotic bitter-sweet woods. Its complex and alluring taste has made MARTINI Rosso the key ingredient for several iconic cocktails such as the Negroni or Manhattan. Producer Descriptio.

Winemaker Description

14 different herbs and spices are sourced all around the world to make Noilly Prat Extra Dry. Among them Chamomile, Coriander from Morocco, Bitter Oranges from Tunisia or Orris Root from Italy.

Noilly Prat Extra Dry is ideal for preparing a 50:50 Martini Cocktail.14 different herbs and spices are sourced all around the world to make Noilly Prat Extra Dry. Among them Chamomile, Coriander from Morocco, Bitter Oranges from Tunisia or Orris Root from Italy. Producer Description.

Producer Description 

Lillet Blanc is a medium color white wine aperitif from France, made from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes.

The nose is of honey and orange and a hint of mint. While the nose may lead you to expect a sweet dessert wine, in fact Lillet Blanc leads with a taste of firm bitterness, which suddenly diminishes, leaving a lingering trace of orange, honey and herbaceousness on the palate. 

Expert Review

92 Points Wine Enthusiast | The rounded bouquet features tropical fruit notes of banana and guava, smells of ripe grapes and kiwi and a subtle spiciness. The palate entry is luscious, gently fruity and keenly acidic; midpalate flavors include kiwi, white grapes, raisins, and a vegetal quality. Finish is ripe, delicately spiced, and delicious. An old favorite.

Winemaker Description 

Vermouth di Torino is a collective heritage of Piedmont, which sees in the royal Savoy court as first big promoter of a product which, mainly starting from the late XVIII century, generated a flourishing industry which led Piedmont to become the Kingdom of Vermouth. 

Notes of cocoa, rhubarb, dandelion, caramel, and orange peel deliver a rich and refined character.

Winemaker Description

MARTINI Extra Dry vermouth was launched, with great international success, on New Year's Day in 1900. The Company had been experimenting with the production of dry vermouth since 1890 in some foreign countries, such as Cuba, in order to compete with the French "sec" vermouth. A straw colored vermouth with a sharper perfume, it reveals raspberry, lemon and the subtler hints of iris. This aromatic wine is dry without being bitter, with a white wine base it allows the aromas to come alive in the glass. 

Winemaker Description 

Noilly Prat Original Dry Vermouth is a classic vermouth that perfectly balances herbal complexity with a clean, dry finish. Its nuanced flavors make it an excellent choice for both sipping and as a key ingredient in classic cocktails like the Dry Martini.

Pale golden color with a slight greenish hue, reflecting its freshness and herbal character. The aroma is complex and inviting, with pronounced herbal notes of chamomile, mint, and marjoram. Subtle hints of citrus peel, dried herbs, and a touch of sea breeze add depth and intrigue.

On the palate, Noilly Prat Original Dry is smooth and well-balanced. The herbal notes dominate, with flavors of thyme, chamomile, and marjoram complemented by a delicate citrus zest. The mid-palate offers a touch of green apple and white peach, providing a pleasant fruity counterpoint to the herbal intensity.

The finish is long and dry, with lingering notes of herbs and a slight salinity that leaves a refreshing, clean aftertaste. 

Winemaker Description 

This vermouth has a lustrous coppery color, gentle aromas of fruit compote, of prunes and walnuts with grassy notes, tempered by spicy aromas like Szechwan pepper... then aromas of almond, citrus, pear and cinnamon with gingerbread, tobacco, oregano and hyssop notes.

This very rich bouquet is tempered by a subtle bitter base wine.

Winemaker Description 

A semi-sweet aperitif with a bouquet of fresh wild herbs, citrus and cinnamon and clove spices. Can be enjoyed in a variety of ways: on the rocks, with juice or soda water, or as an ingredient in numerous cocktails. 

Make sure to chill before serving! 

Expert Rating

Ultimate Beverage Challenge 91 Points | Complex, earthy, foresty aromas abound in this exotic bouquet that's sweet/sour in nature. Taste is supple, sweet, nutty, almost sherried. 

Winemaker Description

La Copa Rojo is based on a Cream Sherry, a blend of 75% Palomino and 25% PX, with the addition of six botanicals; wormwood, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, orange peel and savory.

Intense spiced aroma, notes of clove and cinnamon stand out, with an elegant bitterness on the finish. On the palate smooth velvety slightly sweet note from the Cream base. Enjoy well chilled on its own or with soda and a slice of orange. A key ingredient in many cocktails. 

Winemaker Description

Lillet Rouge Aperitif presents a deep, ruby red color, with a nose that reveals an enticing bouquet of ripe red fruits, spices, and a hint of vanilla. On the palate, you'll be greeted by rich, fruity flavors of blackberry, cherry, and plum, complemented by subtle notes of spice and herbs.

The finish is smooth and lingering, with a touch of sweetness and a gentle, warming sensation. 

Winemaker Description 

14 different herbs and spices are sourced all around the world to make Noilly Prat Extra Dry. Among them Chamomile, Coriander from Morocco, Bitter Oranges from Tunisia or Orris Root from Italy.

Noilly Prat Extra Dry is ideal for preparing a 50:50 Martini Cocktail.

Winemaker Description 

This vermouth has a lustrous coppery color, gentle aromas of fruit compote, of prunes and walnuts with grassy notes, tempered by spicy aromas like Szechwan pepper... then aromas of almond, citrus, pear and cinnamon with gingerbread, tobacco, oregano and hyssop notes.

This very rich bouquet is tempered by a subtle bitter base wine.

Vermouth is a fortified, aromatized wine; the ingredien ts are wine, herbs and plants, grape spirit and sugar. The practice of aromatizing wine dates back to the Ancient Greeks. This was formerly done to mask poor wine, or as later to add extra complexity to something already good. It also proved to be an effective form of early, homeopathic medicine. Right up until the 20th century, doctors regularly prescribed Vermouths and aromatized liqueurs for all manner of illness, and many people continue to take a glass per day for medicinal reasons.

The process chez Dolin begins with purchase of base wine, always white, light in alcohol (10% by volume), and as neutral as possible, both on the nose and palate. To this is added a selection of herbs and plants, which are left to macerate several months. The exact recipes are a closely guarded secret, but there are up to 54 different plants used, most notably wormwood, but also hyssop, camomile, genepi, chincona bark and rose petals. The aromatized wine is then lightly sugared, to less than 30 g/l for the Dry and 130 g/l for the Blanc and Rouge.

The color of the Rouge does not come from red base wine, which is unsuitable for elegant Vermouth, and instead comes from the particular plants used, and from sweetening with dark, caramelized sugar. Finally, the Vermouths are fortified - up to 16? for the sweeter styles for the Dry. Chamberyzette is made with the addition of a juice of wild strawberries from the Alps and fortified. 

Winemaker Description

Introduced in 1881, Comoz Vermouth Blanc expressed Claudius Comoz’s selection of wines, plants and fruits, many of which come from the hills above Chambéry. Comoz came to fame as the essential vermouth in the El Presidente cocktail in Cuba. 

Comoz is less sweet than other vermouth blanc, with notes of stone fruits, alpine flowers and a deep, resonant undercurrent of wormwood. This deeper profile marries with whiskey better than any other pale vermouth.

Winemaker Description 

Aromas of a grapefruit cradled by white flowers.

Gran Bassano Bianco is a vermouth based on Vespaiolo, white wine from native grapes of the DOC of which the city of Bassano is part. Vespaiolo features characteristic floral scents that attract the wasps (vespa), from which it is named. The original aromatic identity of Gran Bassano Bianco is due to a balanced infusion of over twenty botanicals, among which stand out hawthorn and elderflower, characteristic plants from Bassano area, as well as grapefruit, galangal, myrtle, sweet and bitter orange. Perfect as an aperitif to enjoy chilled and straight or in long drinks with ice and tonic water. 

Expert Review

94 Points Wine Enthusiast | Expect a burnished gold hue and an aroma mixing dried herb and floral notes: lavender and elderflower are part of the mix. The palate opens lightly bitter, with grapefruit peel and coriander leading into mellow golden raisin brushed with honey. A mild dried herb note emerges on the finish.

The world’s 1st & only vermouth made with 100% Hondarrabi Zuri Getariako Txakoli Wine.The underlying wine is produced by the fifth-generation of winemakers from the famed Eizaguirre family, from old vines grown high on breathtaking rolling hills just above and overlooking the beautiful Bay of Biscay in Zarautz, Spain.

They pioneered the use of local "Integrated Production" since the climate in the area is too wet for certified organic or biodynamic production methods. Instead of spraying, they bring sheep from a farm next door to eat the dead vine leaves, grass, and pests that would otherwise lead to rot, leaving only the living grapes which fight through rough conditions to produce the wine.

The wild wine made here is famous for its freshness and complexity and this vermouth uses a double maceration technique to highlight it's best qualities. More than 80 mostly local aromatic herbs from all around the Basque Country are extracted in a base spirit of Orujo -a pomace brandy similar to eau de vie. This concoction is aged for several months in old French oak barrels before being blended with the txakoli wine and adjusted to 15% abv.

A deep chestnut auburn in color. The nose is complex with grapefruit, raspberry, and nectarine notes, and a finish of toast, vanilla, and caramel, all balanced by a bitter and tannic base. The underlying txakoli wine fills everything with bright acidity, mineral, and salinity, but the rich botanicals lend more depth. Producer Description. 

Winemaker Description 

Martini & Rossi Bianco vermouth is crafted with a complex botanical blend and the finest base wines for a balanced taste. It speaks to the great tradition of Italian vermouths: bitter enough to stimulate the appetite while having enough sweetness to be enjoyable. The botanicals come through with the hero clearly being the aromatic and flavorful vanilla bean. Best suited to be enjoyed as a classic aperitif. 

Winemaker Description 

Cocchi Vermouth di Torino Extra Dry, released on the year of Cocchi’s 130th anniversary, is a classic-style dry vermouth from the birthplace of vermouth, Piemonte. Though the old classic dry vermouths that became so popular for their use in the Dry Martini were traditionally produced in the Southeast of France, in recent years the major players of the Torino vermouth category have produced a spin on the category all their own. Cocchi was long a hold out, but no longer. 

“Ricetta Piemontese”(Piedmontese recipe), stated on the label, is a very precise indication of the content: all the relevant ingredients for this vermouth come from Piemonte and have a strong bond with the region.

The wine used for this vermouth is Cortese, the same grape used for Gavi DOCG. The Artemisia Absinthium (wormwood), is 100% from Piemonte mountains. The aromatic profile is also characterized by Menta di Pancalieri, a local variety of peppermint, and lemon, traditionally used to garnish vermouths of all styles in Piedmont. 

Perucchi has been made in Catalonia since 1886 – but only recently imported into the United States. We think it is a delicious, new (to us) treat at a very fair price!

Perruchi shows bold spice aromas of fresh gingerbread, autumn woods and tobacco followed by delectably sweet flavors of black cherry compote macerated in ruby port, finishing with a pleasant, balancing bitter herb note.

Though this would certainly be fantastic in a classic Manhattan, the flavors are so wonderful it begs to be savored. Try it on the rocks with a splash of seltzer and a wedge of orange as an aperitif or at the end of dinner, neat, with a wedge of blue cheese garnished with Membrillo or fig jam and Marcona almonds. Producer Description. 

Elena Spirits was born from a deep-seated desire. A drive to take the spirit of Piedmont far and wide, a passion for the Langhe, and a time-honored tradition of exceptional flavors to be savored. We poured energy, passion, and expertise into every bottle produced, striving to uphold what the history of local spirits has shaped over the years. Meticulously crafted recipes, refined through time and processes, are enriched with botanicals that we knew would impart a unique personality to the Gin and Vermouth under the Elena Spirits brand.

The challenge set by the Currado Vietti family was to use Barolo Lazzarito and one part Roero Arneis, blended with a selection of botanicals and natural herbs from Piedmont, according to an old family recipe, infused only once (“one-shot”).

Bouquet: vinous, elegant and refined with notes of bitter orange, gentian and nuances of vanilla. The very delicate spicy part presents hints of liquorice and cloves. The perception of artemisia is well defined in the finish.

Palate: vinous, tannic but decidedly harmonious. Red fruits, long, spicy persistence with a pleasantly sweet finish. Despite the use of traditional spices, the important vinous quota gathers momentum during the closing.

Winemaker Description 

Pale straw color. Sweet aromas of ripe grapes, pine needles, and spearmint. Sweet for an 'extra dry'. Grapy flavors. Good for mixing.

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | Juicy peach nectar and wild strawberry meet vibrant acidity and a floral flicker on the exit. Even the rosy hue is just calling out for mixing with bubbles or gin. Sip or mix.

Producer Description 

Vermouth Amaro Cocchi has been created according to the original recipe by Giulio Cocchi where Artemisia was enriched with rhubarb, quassia wood, chiretta and a double infusion of cinchona. The addition of Barolo Chinato to the base wine gives delicately red nuances and a further soft and complex note – totally Cocchi style. 

Producer Description 

Carpano is an aperitif and is the perfect way to start a meal. Either on it's own or with your appetizer, it stimulates the appetite and will make a good meal great.

Carpano Antica Formula is made from the Carpano Distillery's "ancient formula" for (red) sweet vermouth. Carpano Antica Formula is sought after because of its heritage, packaging and refined taste.

It is distinguished from other sweet vermouths by its hint of vanilla flavor and aroma. The authentic nature of this vermouth is enhanced by using copies of the original 18th Century label and bottle, with the traditional cork and red seal. 

Expert Review 

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | Rich, fruity and enticing, this sweet vermouth is warmed with notes of fig and dried cherries, and just faint hints of spiced gingerbread and bitter orange peel. Drinkable solo as an aperitif, or use it as a cocktail-mixing favorite.

Winemaker Description 

With a mahogany colour and orange highlights, Yzaguirre Classic Red Vermouth has an intense aroma with herby and spicy notes. Mild balsamic touches give it a pleasant and very unique structure. It has a good aromatic intensity in the mouth which balances out the acidity very well. Long, intense and slightly bitter aftertaste.

Yzaguirre Vermouth is a fortified wine aged for 12 months in oak barrels. It is made following the traditional method of producing old houses born in the foothills of the Italian Alps. Its unique formula combines about 80 herbs and spices to give it that special touch.

Serving tip: Excellent as an everyday aperitif. Serve with 2 anchovy-stuffed olives, 2 or 3 ice cubes and a slice of orange. Serve very chilled.

Winemaker Description 

In a 200-year-old company with sixteen bodegas, sometimes suprising things get found. In this case, Barbadillo discovered old tonic wines of indeterminate age and recipe, and called on winemaker Montserrat Molina to develop a new vermouth recipe to approximate the flavor profiles of what they had found.

The result, Atamán, is a potently delicious sipping vermouth built on Manzanilla sherry with quassia, bitter orange, wormwood, elderberry and rosemary dominating the botanical roster.

Producer Description 

Tribuno Sweet Vermouth is a light brown color with a candied nose of ripe peaches. It makes a wonderful mixer.