Vermouth, a Drink with a Rich History

The word “vermouth” has its origin in Germany (wermut) and means wormwood, which is the star ingredient of this alcoholic beverage. In the end, vermouth is a blend of wine macerated in herbs. It is composed of white wine, wormwood itself, and other bitter beverages. Hence, the different colors of the drink, ranging from red to off-white or a more intense yellow. Additionally, its aroma is achieved through the proper blend of botanicals (roots, plants, flowers, and spices).

History tells us that the most remote origin of vermouth is found in Classical times; in ancient Greece, they mixed and macerated wine with spices and aromatic plants to make medicinal concoctions. In fact, it was Hippocrates, one of the most prominent figures in the history of medicine, who decided to search for a cure for stomach pains by blending different herbs. But that’s not all… It is said that in 1700 B.C., liqueurs with wormwood were made, as the Egyptians discovered this herb and used it to create various mixtures.

Do you know Constantino Cesare De Notevoli? If you’re a vermouth lover like us, you surely won’t forget his name because he is the author of the first historical reference we have to this drink. In his work “Ammaestramenti dell’agricoltura,” written in 1549, he talks about a recipe for wine with absinthe that had therapeutic and healing purposes.

Although in some documents and writings from the 17th and 18th centuries, like the one we just mentioned, we find elaborations and recipes connected to vermouth, it’s not until the late 18th century that this drink gains definitive commercial fame. In 1773, the Italian physician Villifranchi published the work “Enologia Toscana: Ossia Memoria sopra i vini,” in which he explains for the first time how to make a liqueur from the mixture of wine with absinthe, which he calls “Absinthiamtum” or “Absinthianumvinum.”

The invention of vermouth was attributed in 1786 to two Italian distillers, Antonio and Beneditto Carpano. They published the creation of a beverage whose base consisted of sweet muscatel wine, sugar, caramel, alcohol, and various spices, herbs, and aromas that gave it a special flavor. Later, around 1838, the brothers Luigi and Guiseppe Cora prepared vermouth on an industrial scale, and that was when the drink began to gain strength from Italian brands.

Now that you know a bit more about its history, let’s tell you which types of vermouth stand out in the market and what their characteristics are. We’ll give you a hint: the difference between them lies in the treatment of the grapes in the production process.

1. Red Vermouth: It is the most produced in Spain. This beverage is a bit less bitter than its Italian counterpart. It is dominated by aromatic herbs.
2. White Vermouth: It is the perfect choice for lovers of sweet drinks. Important note: it’s not that it has more sugar but rather that it has fewer bitter ingredients in its preparation. Citrus and vanilla dominate its production. It’s the most consumed worldwide! Here’s a little curiosity: white vermouth was an imitation that the French made of Italian red vermouth. Although they didn’t achieve an exact copy, their drink was so successful that the Italians started producing the French version as well.
3. Rosé Vermouth: This is the great unknown, although it is starting to gain more fame lately. The key to this vermouth is in the mix of red and white wines, achieving that pink hue. Are you up for trying it?
4. Dry Vermouth: As the name suggests, it is the most bitter of the three, and its star ingredient is fruity aromas.

After reading our article, congratulations, you’ve taken one more step to become a true vermouth expert… However, the most important part is still missing: tasting it!

At Mercado Tapineria, we await you to enjoy a good evening plan, an aperitif… anytime is a good time to savor this beverage. Are you up for coming and trying it?