Vermouth
I have always wondered what Vermouth was. I know it is an ingredient in a martini but knew of no other uses for it. So what is Vermouth?
Vermouth is wine that has been modified by adding herbs, spices, sugar and carmel. It is called an aromatized wine which means that it has additives as opposed to a fortified wine which has other spirits added to increase the alcohol content. Its alcohol content is between 15% to 19% depending on the style.
Vermouth was invented by Antonio Benedetto Carpano from Turin Italy in 1786. He was “inspired” by a German wine that was fortified with wormwood. Wormwood has been used for centuries as a moth repellant, general pesticide and as a tea/spray to repel slugs and snails. Before its' toxicity was known it was used as the name implies: a worming medicine for people and animals. Not exactly the kind of inspiration I am looking for when trying to make bad wine drinkable.
Vermouth comes in red and white varieties. The red variety is also called sweet vermouth or Italian vermouth. The white variety is dry or French vermouth. Dry vermouth was invented by Joseph Nolly in France in the early 19th century.
Both types of vermouth are used as an aperitif: an alcoholic drink taken before meals as an appetizer. Red is used in mixed drinks while the dry white is used along with vodka and gin in the classic martini.
Either way, the origins of vermouth are not appealing and since I am not a martini drinker, this is one wine I will stay away from.
Icool
Cobb
Vermouth is wine that has been modified by adding herbs, spices, sugar and carmel. It is called an aromatized wine which means that it has additives as opposed to a fortified wine which has other spirits added to increase the alcohol content. Its alcohol content is between 15% to 19% depending on the style.
Vermouth was invented by Antonio Benedetto Carpano from Turin Italy in 1786. He was “inspired” by a German wine that was fortified with wormwood. Wormwood has been used for centuries as a moth repellant, general pesticide and as a tea/spray to repel slugs and snails. Before its' toxicity was known it was used as the name implies: a worming medicine for people and animals. Not exactly the kind of inspiration I am looking for when trying to make bad wine drinkable.
Vermouth comes in red and white varieties. The red variety is also called sweet vermouth or Italian vermouth. The white variety is dry or French vermouth. Dry vermouth was invented by Joseph Nolly in France in the early 19th century.
Both types of vermouth are used as an aperitif: an alcoholic drink taken before meals as an appetizer. Red is used in mixed drinks while the dry white is used along with vodka and gin in the classic martini.
Either way, the origins of vermouth are not appealing and since I am not a martini drinker, this is one wine I will stay away from.
Icool
Cobb
posted by Cobb at
7:20 AM
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