Even if you don’t know what vermouth is, you’ve probably already tasted it if you’ve ever had a martini or a Manhattan cocktail. But what exactly is this sweet ingredient? Vermouth is more than just a cocktail mixer; it’s a fortified wine infused with herbs and botanicals, offering a complex flavour profile. This guide will introduce you to everything you need to know about this fortified wine, so read on to find out more!
What is vermouth?
Vermouth falls under the umbrella category of fortified wines. These particular types of wines have had spirits added to them to increase their alcohol content.
So what makes vermouth special compared to other fortified wines? It’s the infusion of various herbs, spices, and botanicals that give it a distinct flavour profile. Vermouth plays a starring role in a number of classic cocktails because of its versatility.
Where did vermouth come from?
The origins of vermouth date back to ancient times. Like most liquor, vermouth was originally used for medicine. It was only in the 18th century that this fortified wine became popular as a beverage in Italy and France.
The name “vermouth” itself is derived from the German word “Wermut,” which means wormwood, one of the original botanicals used in its early production.
Types of vermouth
Vermouth can be categorized into two different types: dry vermouth and sweet vermouth.
Dry vermouth is normally a white wine. It’s crisp and less sweet compared to the sweet vermouth. Often a red wine, sweet vermouth has a richer and sweeter taste. There’s also a lesser-known type of vermouth called Bianco vermouth, which is right in the middle between dry and sweet.
How is vermouth made?
Wine base
Vermouth starts with a wine base. Depending on the desired product, producers will choose to use red or white wine as the base. The wine used for vermouth is typically one made of neutral grapes. This allows for a blank canvas for the botanicals to shine through.
Fortification
To the base wine, neutral alcohol such as brandy or grape spirit, is added to increase its alcohol content. This process is called fortification, and its benefits are twofold. It boosts the wine’s strength and acts as a preservative to ensure that the vermouth will last longer.
Infusion
After the wine is fortified, it’s infused with botanicals. This process is where vermouth starts to gain its character. Every vermouth producer has their own secret recipe to achieve their distinct flavours, but common botanicals include chamomile, wormwood, cloves, juniper, coriander, cinnamon, and citrus peels.
To infuse these botanicals, they are either steeped in the alcohol to release the flavours, or distilled separately and then added to the fortified base wine.
Sweetening
Depending on the desired taste, the fortified and infused base wine may also undergo additional sweetening. This process is normally only for sweet vermouth, which gets a touch of sugar or caramel to enrich its flavours. Dry vermouth has minimal or no added sweeteners.
Maturation
Just like wine, the vermouth is left to rest and age. This process can last anywhere between a few weeks to several months. During this time, the flavours from the botanicals and sweeteners can meld together and develop complexity.
How to enjoy vermouth
While vermouth is most known to appear in cocktails, there are other ways to appreciate this delicious fortified wine. Vermouth can be enjoyed on its own, typically served over ice with a slice of citrus or a splash of soda.
Additionally, it’s often consumed as an aperitif in many European countries. Aperitifs are drinks that are served before dinner to stimulate the appetite. To enjoy vermouth as an aperitif, simply pour your choice of sweet or dry vermouth over ice and add a twist of lemon or orange.
How to store vermouth
Because of vermouth’s wine base, it has a limited shelf life and cannot be stored for a long period of time like liquor. Once a bottle is opened, it’s best to keep it in the fridge. In the correct fridge conditions, vermouth will last about a month.
Keeping vermouth for longer than a month will degrade its flavours and quality, so make sure you finish your bottle quickly after opening.
Now that you’ve learned much more about vermouth, you can begin to appreciate it. Look for its iconic taste the next time you’re sipping on a classic cocktail, or make yourself your own aperitif before having a fancy dinner at home! Find your perfect bottle of vermouth at minuman.com or the minuman.com Superstore.
