We dedicate these … [23] Most vermouths are bottled at between 16% and 18% ABV, as compared with the 9–14% ABV of most unfortified wines. Rose-colored vermouth uses red and white wines as its base. When vermouth is drunk by itself— which is seldom outside of Spain, Italy, Portugal, and France — it is normally consumed as an apéritif. Although the amount of vermouth used in cocktail recipes had somewhat declined, it has recently been experiencing a rise as a favorite among a new breed of bartenders,[17] as a key ingredient in many cocktails. [3] The advent of the cocktail, in the late 19th century, found a new use for vermouth. The Madhavanidana and its Chief Commentary. Additionally, Hippocrates would produce his own wormwood iteration as early as 400 BC! Vermouth is myth-making, the bottling of Italian drinking history. [30], The term "Italian vermouth" is often used to refer to red-colored, mildly bitter, and slightly sweet vermouths. 9diDANTE, from Alba in Italy, is a Vermouth di Torino Superiore that uses 100% Piedmont wines in its production. [14], Sweet vermouths usually contain 10–15% sugar. Product placement and celebrity endorsements from personalities such as Ernest Hemingway and Humphrey Bogart helped to increase the Martini's profile. The history and culture of food and drinks is an important part of our society, and at Grapes & Grains we hope to continue researching and presenting different articles on this topic. Thank you Emanuel for your kind words. medicinal use of herbs and spices are well know, Post Comments Recipes for infusing white wine date back to ancient Greece from around 400 BC. A popular ingredient was wormwood, based on the belief that it was effective at treating stomach disorders and intestinal parasites. Besides the difference between sweet and dry martinis, the obvious variation in vermouth styles depends on the quality of wine used, and the combination of the botanicals.The two production areas in the ancient kingdom of Savoy (see history below) generated different styles of vermouth, and popular belief has it that Italian vermouth was originally sweet and produced from red wine, while French vermouth, which was typically dry whit… [48], Martini & Rossi, the top-selling international brand of vermouth, started in 1863 in Turin and produces both dry and sweet vermouths, but is mostly known for its Rosso. Like so many alcoholic beverages we consume, Vermouth has a long history as a medicinal product. Atom In the history of vermouth there are four principal production regions, each with its own distinctive style and varieties. However, it was the four brothers Rossi—whose Martini & Rossi vermouth began official production in 1863 in Turin, Italy—who truly began the drink’s rapid climb through the ranks of the social elite. Vermouth comes in different flavors and though the modern versions of the beverage were first produced in Turin, Italy, the history of using herbs, and spices in fortified drinks for … For the character in Detective Conan, see. Artisanal makers have created new brands of vermouth which do not seek to imitate European styles, and vermouth has been a fast-growing category within the wine trade. Their product lineup carries both a traditional dry, two different kinds of sweet (red and blanco), and a strawberry (chamberyzette). The name "vermouth" is the French pronunciation of the German word Wermut for wormwood that has been used as an ingredient in the drink over its history. Boulevardier: uses whiskey in place of gin; Old Pal: uses dry vermouth and Canadian rye whisky. At the time, it was made with gin and Martini & Rossi dry vermouth. 231, 235–236, J. Robinson, J. Harding and J. Vouillamoz, Walton and Glover, pp. Vermouth is a wine with a storied and rich history. 120, 129; Herbst, pp. [5][49] Cinzano and Martini & Rossi also produce rosé vermouths, which are mainly distributed in Italy and France. The added alcohol is usually a neutral grape spirit, but may also come from vegetable sources such as sugar beets. As previously stated, vermouth is an ingredient in the martini, one of the most popular and well-known cocktails. [21], Several wine grapes, including Clairette blanche, Piquepoul, Bianchetta Trevigiana,[22] Catarratto and Trebbiano, are generally used as the base ingredients for vermouths.