Vermouth: the pillar of mixing from Turin origins.

The Vermouth is a flavored wine that was created in 1786 in Turin. It is recognized as a traditional Italian food product and is now famous worldwide for being an excellent beverage, as well as the primary ingredient in numerous cocktails.
Its name is also known in other versions, such as "vermut", "vermutte", or even "vèrmot" in Piedmontese spelling.
Believe it or not, the name was chosen by the very person who invented it, Antonio Benedetto Carpano, a young man with a background as an herbalist. He adapted the term "Wermut", which in German refers to grand wormwood or common wormwood, of which the drink is partially made.

Vermouth: description and composition of the flavored wine from Turin

The alcohol content and composition of Vermouth are regulated by Italian law, which defines "vermut" as a product whose alcohol content is not less than 16% and not more than 22% by volume.
The beverage must also contain artemisia, which characterizes the drink.
Vermouth must be composed of at least 75% sweetened and flavored white wine. The percentage of sugar is also regulated but varies depending on the types of vermouth, just like the alcohol content.

Here are some examples: the vermut, white and red, must express an alcohol content of no less than 15.5% and a minimum sugar content of 14%.
As for dry vermouth, it must have a minimum alcohol content of 18% and a maximum of 7% sugars.
By the same Italian law, the term "vermut" is reserved for a product obtained from national wine production, enriched with permitted flavoring and bittering substances.

In addition to the repeatedly mentioned artemisia, Vermouth contains dozens and dozens of herbs, including gentian, hyssop, elderflower, vanilla, bitter orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, and also juniper, angelica, marjoram, mint, saffron, and cinchona.
From this, you will understand that making Vermouth is a true art, requiring palate, sensitivity, and nose to select the right ingredients that will create a harmonious and incredible symphony.

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

First of all, the Vermouth must be served always cold, at a starting temperature of 12 degrees Celsius.
It can be consumed neat or with just the addition of ice. The best way to serve Vermouth is definitely with two ice cubes, a slice of orange, and the classic lemon peel, to be squeezed over the wine before putting it in the glass.

Many of the great cocktail recipes use Vermouth as an ingredient, also because it constitutes one of the two historical pillars of mixing, alongside spirits.
For dry Vermouth, perfect cocktails include the Martini, Vodka Martini, Vesper, and Tuxedo.
As for Sweet Vermouth, we have the timeless Negroni and Americano!
In addition to these two, which we absolutely recommend you try if you haven't heard of them, with this type of Vermouth you can create many other cocktails, including Negroni Sbagliato, Sweet Martini, Manhattan, Boulevardier, and the list could go on!

As we reach the end of the article, we cannot fail to open a brief parenthesis on the Negroni, the cocktail that quintessentially features Vermouth.
Its simplicity is disarming, as with just a few simple ingredients, one can obtain a magical mixture that is fragrant, where the bitter taste of the bitter perfectly blends with the punchy aromaticity of gin.
The Negroni is indeed an Americano in which the soda is replaced by a shot of gin and shares its bitter nature.
To make a good Negroni, you must pay close attention to the measures: 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 in the ingredients after adding the ice. Stir and complete with the slice of orange.
And there you have it, the Negroni is ready to be savored.