Vermouth & Aperitif

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.

In restaurants throughout the Basque Country, a weekend meal begins with a ceremonial vermouth service. Decanters of vermouth are presented on a tray with ice, sparkling water, olives, wedges of cut citrus, and two small bitters bottles: one full of Campari and the other filled with London Dry Gin. Each guest dictates their preferred garnish and ingredients, which the waiter then serves tableside. Acha’s classically Basque vermouth syncs beautifully with the broader vermouth tradition in Spain, heavily represented in Madrid, Barcelona, and the Basque Country. The botanicals are macerated in aguardiente – produced in a 130 year-old copper pot still – and blended into a neutral Airén wine base.Tasting Notes: This is not your standard dry vermouth; it has powerful herbaceous qualities that make it almost equal parts a dry vermouth and an alpine herbal liqueur like génépi. Intense notes of marjoram, thyme, wormwood, and rosemary, along with the natural vinous quality of the vermouth, make this a powerful cocktail ingredient. Pairing Notes: Acha Dry is the perfect vermouth for a rich, savory martini (pair with BCN gin and orange bitters for a serious Spanish sipper), but is potent enough to stand up to heavy hitters like Cynar, absinthe, aquavit, cherry tomatoes, honey, orange liqueur, and olive bitters.

Producer Description 

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

Winemaker Description

Expert Review

Wine Enthusiast TOP 100 SPIRITS 2022 94 Points |  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.

Winemaker Description 

Select is made by carefully blending 30 botanicals including juniper berries and rhubarb root. The result is a complex and perfect balanced bittersweet taste.

Bright ruby red with orange reflections. Vigorous and tonic main note, with a hint of essential oils and citrus fruits, supported by a balsamic and fresh note of juniper, resin, eucalyptus and menthol distillate. Complex, herbaceous secondary notes. The taste is very intense and complex, with prevailing bitter notes due to the roots and bark. Spicy, tropical notes that bind to citrus notes. Pleasantly persistent aftertaste with fresh and lively notes due to the essential oils of citrus fruits.

Winemaker Description 

Unique and unmatched. Appreciated the world over for its very high quality. Have it neat and very cold, with soda water and on the rocks decorated with a slice of orange. It is an essential base of mythical cocktails. 

Punt e Mes (it's pronounced "poon't ay mehs") by Carpano, the original Italian aperitivo with a rich heritage dating back to 1870. The name "Punt e Mes" translates to 'Point and a Half' in Italian, and it represents a unique recipe crafted from a combination of sweet vermouth with just the right touch of bitterness.

When you take your first sip of Punt e Mes, you'll experience a delightful sweetness with a subtle hint of orange, followed by a distinctive touch of bitterness, and it all culminates in a pleasingly sweet finish. This timeless blend of flavors has been enjoyed since its inception in 1870, making it a classic choice for those who appreciate a well-crafted Italian aperitivo.

Punt e Mes is known for its dark red color and vermilion-colored veins. Its scent includes the aromas of baked fruit such as prunes and cherries, aromatic herbs, soft caramel, and cloves.

Punt e Mes can be enjoyed on the rocks with a citrus twist, in a spritz or in a variety of cocktails like the Italian Greyhound.

Winemaker Description

Byrrh Grand Quinquina is made to the original late-19th century recipe that earned worldwide fame and inspired fifty years of evocative poster art. Byrrh combines a generous, port-like wine and mistelle base with a firm backbone of natural quinine to produce a fruity, refreshing aperitif.

By itself, with tonic and a twist, or paired with blue cheese. In cocktails, Byrrh mixes well with vodka, gin, tequila, Irish whiskey, and grapefruit. Byrrh is produced in Thuir, in the heart of French Catalan territory, near the coast and border with Spain. 

Expert Review

93 Points Wine Enthusiast | Concentrated dark fruit leads the nose and palate on this garnet-hued aperitif wine infused with quinine. Complex, rich stewed fruit notes suggest cherry pie and Port brushed with vanilla, finishing long with drying hints of plum skin, sage and dried oregano plus a hint of espresso-like bitterness.  Best Buy

 

The world’s first and 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.

The liquid is a bright straw yellow color, with a slight herbaceously green tint. The nose is complex with peach, lemon, spice, and floral notes, and the mouth feel is very much like its underlying txakoli wine — filled with bright acidity, mineral, salinity, and a dry, velvety finish. Producer Description. 

Producer Description 

Acha Vino Vermouth Blanco is off dry with a light floral finish reminiscent of honeysuckle, elderflower, and daisies.

Much lighter than most other red vermouths, Bordiga Rosso works beautifully as a sipper or when you don't want to overpower a lighter spirit in a cocktail.

Aromatized with botanicals from the Occitan Alps near the winery, there are lovely soft notes of cinnamon, baking spices, and cola sweetness. Producer Description. 

Winemaker Description 

Made using wines made with 50% Garnacha Blanca and 50% Xarello grapes, El Bandarra Vermut Bianco is infused with more that 40 botanicals to create its complex bittersweet character.

Winemaker Description 

Aromatic, layered, and full of spice, this vermouth is bright on the front with hints of rhubarb, cocoa, and vanilla. Its sweet, creamy finish is balanced out by oak and pleasing bitter notes from gentian root and orange oil bitters.

It's made with flavors of citrus fruits, ginger, exotic flowers and spices, & cinchona bark. Pairs with straight bourbon, rye whiskey and other flavorful spirits. 

A perfect blend of two wines: a dry, mineral and crisp. Fino sherry and a sweet and floral Moscatel wine. Intense and bright yellow colour with golden reflections. On the nose it shows floral, citrusy and herbaceous notes over a yeasty and mineral base. The finish is bitter and clean with a long, nutty and refreshing aftertaste. Winemaker Description. 

Producer Description

The delicate flavor of Vermouth Perucchi is the result of a selection of wines and mistelas from Alt Ampurdà, Valencia and La Mancha macerated with a special combination of more than 50 varieties of herbs, fruits and roots.The only sweet vermouth with more than 20 natural botanicals according to the Augustus Perucchi recipe created in 1876, without preservatives or dyes.Palate Balanced, slightly sweet, soft and pleasant in mouth, naturally refreshing.

• Color: Straw-coloured yellow with greenish tones from herbaceous products.

• Aroma: Very delicate and exquisite mixture of wines with the different ingredients providing the vermouth with multitude of floral aromas.

• Palate: Balanced, slightly sweet, soft and pleasant in mouth, naturally refreshing.

• Aftertaste: Long and intense, with an interesting combination of aromas and flavours all of which converge to form an original white vermouth.

Vermouth Perucchi is a unique product, as it was the first Spanish vermouth. It was first made in 1876 by Don Augustus Perucchi. Its delicate flavour is the result of an accurate selection of wines and sweet wines from Alt Empordà region, Valencia and La Mancha. These wines are macerated with a secret combination of more than 50 kinds of herbs, plants and roots.

Winemaker Description

A rich, golden color is displayed in this slightly sweet aperitif. The classic vermouth flavors of wormwood and citrus are joined by more exotic tones of chamomile, green tea, and raw vanilla bean. A keen acidity keeps the palate lively, fresh, and inviting. 

Winemaker Description 

Quite seductive, starting on citrus notes. The orange peel and coriander seeds are in the foreground. A fragrant whiff of old roses. Then darker notes, like mature red fruits. Cinnamon as well. Very round, it’s only after some time that you get hints of gentian or absinth.

Very velvety again, with a great balance. Definitely on the sweet side – the bitterness of the Cinchona bark is rather delicate. Citrus peel again, hints of plums and red grape juice. Smooth finish, bittersweet with a touch of toasted oak.

Winemaker Description 

Dolin Blanc is a fresh, elegant, clear vermouth with an edge of vanilla and balanced sweetness. Pour in a pitcher over chopped fruit or serve it as they do in France - a sliced strawberry, splash of soda and a lemon twist. 

Try it in a cocktail with any clear spirit. It is a phenomenal accompaniment to fresh cow's milk cheese or creamy bloomy-rind cheese.

The perfect Aperitif vermouth to drink on the rocks garnished with a slice of orange. Good amount of savory and sweet nuances combining flavors of wild herbs and dried citrus fruit. Oscar Garcia, 67wine - Lead Sommelier.

Producer Description 

Cinzano Bianco Vermouth is a light yellow vermouth with a fragrant, full-bodied and delicate aroma, Cinzano Bianco is sweet and extremely versatile. It can be enjoyed straight as an aperitif or as an ingredient in a cocktail, and is best served chilled.

A delicate infusion of white peach, flower blossom and freshly spiced marjoram, with after notes of fresh thyme. A sweet, mouth-coating flavor with hints of fruit, vanilla bean and cinnamon, and a bittersweet persistent finish.