Vermouth: the pillar of blending with its origins in Turin

Vermouth is an aromatic wine that was created in 1786 in Turin. It is recognized as a traditional Italian food product and is now famous all over the world for being an excellent drink, but also the primary ingredient of numerous cocktails.
His name is also known in other versions, such as' vermouth ',' vermutte ', or even' vèrmot 'in Piedmontese spelling.
Think that the name was chosen by the same person who invented it, Antonio Benedetto Carpano, a young man with a background as a herbalist. He has adapted the term “Wermut” with which in German it is called Artemisia Major or Absinthe Major, of which

Vermouth: description and composition of Turin's flavoured wine

The alcohol content and composition of Vermouth are regulated by Italian law, which defines “vermouth” as a product whose alcohol content is not lower than 16% and not more than 22% by volume.
The drink must also contain mugworts that constitute the characterizing element.
Vermouth must be composed of at least 75% of sweetened and flavored white wine. The percentage of sugar is also regulated, but it varies depending on the types of vermouth, just like the alcohol content.

Here are some examples: vermouth, white and red, must express an alcohol content of not less than 15.5% vol and a minimum sugar content of 14%.
As for dry vermouth, on the other hand, it must have a minimum alcohol content of 18% vol and a maximum of 7% of sugar.
Under the same Italian law, the term “vermouth” is reserved for a product obtained from nationally produced wine, added with permitted aromatic and bitter substances.

In addition to the oft-mentioned mugwort, in Vermouth we find dozens and dozens of herbs, including gentian, hyssop, elderberry, vanilla, bitter orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, and more juniper, angelica, marjoram, mint, saffron and cinchona.
You will understand from here that making Vermouth is a real art, for which you need the palate, sensitivity and nose to select the right ingredients that will create a harmonious and incredible symphony.

Vermouth: how to serve it and which cocktails can be created

First of all, Vermouth should always be served cold, at a starting temperature of 12 degrees centigrade.
It can be eaten plain or with the addition of only ice. The best combination with which to serve Vermouth is certainly with two ice cubes, a slice of orange and the classic lemon peel, to be squeezed over the wine before placing it inside the glass.

Many of the great cocktail recipes involve the use of Vermouth as an ingredient, also because it constitutes one of the two historic pillars of blending, together with distillates.
For dry Vermouth, Martini cocktail, Vodka Martini, Vesper and Tuxedo are perfect.
As for Sweet Vermouth, on the other hand, we have the timeless Negroni and Americano!
In addition to them, which if you don't know, we definitely recommend you try, with this type of Vermouth you can create many other cocktails, including the Negroni Wrong, the Sweet Martini, the Manhattan, the Boulevardier, and we could continue with the list again!

At the end of the article, we cannot fail to open a brief parenthesis on Negroni, the cocktail par excellence that sees Vermouth as the protagonist.
Its simplicity is disarming, because with a few simple ingredients you can obtain a magical, fragrant blend, where the bitter taste of bitter blends perfectly with the pungent aroma of gin.
In fact, Negroni is an American where seltz is replaced by a dose of gin and shares its bitter nature.
To make a good Negroni you have to pay close attention to the doses: 1/3 (3cl) of Gin, 1/3 (3 cl) of Bitter, 1/3 (3 cl) of Red Vermouth, and finally a slice of orange.
Prepare it directly in the glass, a low tumbler, pouring the ingredients after inserting the ice. Stir and complete with the orange slice.
And here is the Negroni ready to be

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