Bordiga Vermouth di Torino Rosso Sweet Vermouth 750ml

Immerse yourself in the timeless tradition of Italian aperitif culture with Bordiga's Rosso Vermouth, a crimson elixir that exemplifies why Turin remains the spiritual capital of aromatized wines. This classic red vermouth resurrects recipes from the belle époque, when cafés along the Po River served vermouth from ornate dispensers to elegant crowds. Using methods unchanged since the 1800s, this bottling proves that tradition needs no improvement when executed with precision.

What elevates Bordiga's Rosso above commercial alternatives is their fanatical attention to every production detail. The wine base blends Nebbiolo and Barbera grapes, providing tannic structure and natural acidity that cheaper vermouths lack. The botanical recipe reads like an apothecary's inventory: artemisia from alpine meadows, gentian root for bitterness, rhubarb for complexity, and exotic spices including Madagascar vanilla, Ceylon cinnamon, and Seville orange peel. Each botanical macerates individually to extract optimal flavor before the master blender creates the final composition. Extended aging in large neutral casks allows complete integration while developing subtle oxidative notes.

The flavor journey of this Rosso Vermouth justifies its standalone service. Initial impressions bring a rush of sweet herbs and baking spices—cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg—balanced by bitter orange and dark cherry notes from the wine base. The mid-palate reveals incredible depth: vanilla pod sweetness offset by gentian bitterness, with layers of dried herbs, caramelized fig, and subtle tobacco. Despite its sweetness, the finish remains surprisingly dry, with pleasant tannins and lingering notes of bitter chocolate and alpine herbs. While essential in classics like the Negroni or Manhattan, this vermouth deserves appreciation neat over ice with an orange slice, allowing its complex tapestry of flavors to unfold without interference. It's a reminder that great vermouth is a destination, not merely a journey's beginning.