Vermouth

This ancient style is experiencing a renaissance - get the inside word on how it is made.

Vermouth is an aromatised, fortified wine. That means its a combination of wine and spirit and herbs/spices/flowers. This slightly unusual but very delicious style has been made for nearly 300 years, and took inspiration from herbal wines that had been made for thousands of years!

So it's no new fad. It has seen a rise in popularity of late though, especially with more and more Australian versions being produced. It can be drunk as an aperitif simply on ice or fridge cold, it can be used as a mixer in cocktails, or simply served with soda.

Most vermouth in the world is produced in Spain, Italy and France. The USA, Australian and the UK have also begun producing small amounts since the 1990s.

Main styles--red

A lot of vermouths will be designated as Rosso or Bianco, or Rouge or Blanc. This simply defines what colour wine was used in the production. Styles are defined by the amount of sugar in the finished product, and are very simply broken down into Sweet and Dry. Sweet vermouth will not only have more sugar, but also a richer mouthfeel and more texture. Dry vermouths are lighter, and will present more citrus and spice characters.

Main flavourings--aromatic

There's no hard and fast rules on what can be added to vermouth, and so individual recipes of various producers are proprietary secrets - sort of like a boozy version of the Colonels secret herbs and spices.

Main culprits often include cloves, cinnamon, quinine, citrus peel, cardamom, marjoram, chamomile, coriander, juniper and ginger.

Some of the more popular names to look out for :

Italy: Punt e mes, Cinzano, Antica Formula, Cocchi

Spain: Casa Mariol, Lustau, Miro

France: Dolin, Noilly Prat

Australia: Maidenii, Regal Rogue, Applewood

FAQ

Can you drink vermouth straight?

Yes, you can! Preferably chilled, but it is a complex and delicious on its own.

Is vermouth an alcohol?

Yes, vermouth is a fortified, aromatised wine. It starts as wine, has additional alcohol added to it and is then infused with herbs, flowers or spices, or all of them!

Should vermouth be refrigerated

Yes, especially once open. It only has a life of approx 2 months once open, and chilling will keep it in best condition.

What is vermouth good for?

A vital ingredient in martinis, it is widely used in cocktails, but can be drunk on it's own.

How do you drink vermouth?

Own it's own, you can chill it and drink it in a small wine glass. Otherwise a simple mix with soda is very refreshing!

About the Author

Banjo Harris Plane is the three-time winner Sommelier of the Year Australia and a certified advanced Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. He first cut his teeth in the wine industry working as a sommelier in Australia's best restaurants, before starting multiple businesses in the space of a few years... these included two restaurants, a wine import business and co-founding Good Pair Days!

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