There are so many new and exciting vermouths; we've had to relocate the category to accommodate all the different styles. Many are so good you'll want to enjoy them independently, just over ice. From dry-and-refreshing to spicy-and-sweet, there's a style for every occasion — for sipping 'neat' or in your favorite cocktail! |
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With a history that stretches back through the ages, vermouth can trace its modern roots to the Italian country side. Traditionally vermouth was drunk as an aperitif or digestif, but the rise of cocktails and American drinking culture has changed how vermouth is used and viewed throughout the world. Made from aromatized fortified wine, each vermouth has a unique blend of herbs, roots, barks, spices, and peels. A required ingredient in vermouth is wormwood; it has been lauded for medicinal properties. The bitterness from wormwood is what makes this family of aromatized fortified wines different from styles like sherry or port. Each type of vermouth offers different levels of sweetness and different flavor profiles, the most common being Sweet, Dry, and Blanco/Bianco. Experience the world of vermouth, and explore vermouth as aperetifs and cocktails beyond Martinis or Manhattans. |
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Our Favorite New Vermouths!
Bordiga Extra Dry Vermouth Di Torino
Valdespino Vermouth
L.N. Mattei Cap Corse Blanc
Azaline Saffron Roux
L.N. Mattei Cap Corse Rouge
Bonal Quinquina Bitter Aperitif
Bordiga Rosso Vermouth Di Torino
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Rosso/Rouge/Sweet
Often the sweetest style of vermouth, it is balanced by a drying bitterness, similar to the effect of tannins - and spices, barks, and herbs. It is usually a rich tawny or amber color, very few are truly red in color, and there is usually some natural caramel coloring to deepen the richness of dark golden hues. This is one of the more common vermouths used as an aperitif, but it's best known for Manhattans and Negronis.
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Dry
Dry vermouth came about in the early 19th century, much later than the original styles of vermouth in France. With less sweetness and residual sugar than it's rouge colored counterpart, dry vermouth is much more herbaceous and tends to have a lighter body. While it still has some light bitterness, there is almost a cooling quality which makes it a perfect companion for a refreshing Martini (stirred not shaken, Bond had it backwards).
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Rose
Rosé vermouth is the new cool kid on the scene. If you like a more fruit-forward profile, don't miss out on this juicy option. The style of these pink-colored vermouths vary, with sweetness levels generally ranging from semi-sweet to sweet. Rosé vermouth can be enjoyed on ice, in a wine spritz or sangria, or even in tequila based cocktails.
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Blanco/Bianco
This style is lesser known and not used quite as often but serves as a bridge between the dry and sweet styles. Sweeter than a dry vermouth, with more body, it is balanced by acidity and falls short of the bitterness and sweetness of rosso vermouths. You can use this style to sweeten a Martini or create a lighter style of Manhattan. Bianco and Blanco vermouths are also wonderful to sip with a couple ice cubes on a warm day while enjoying a sunset.
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Cocktail Of The Week
G.E. Massenez "Framboise Sauvage" Wild Raspberry Brandy is one of my favorites. Please note: it
is a Brandy and NOT a liqueur, so it is left unsweetened. Eau-De -Vie means "water of life", and
is the style of this lovely spirit. It is really nice on the rocks or you can make a great cocktail,
like today's Wild Raspberry Sour.
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Wild Raspberry Sour
Ingredients
2oz of G.E. Massenez Raspberry Brandy
75oz of Fresh Lemon Juice
.75oz Simple Syrup
2 dashes of Bittercube Cherry Bark Vanilla Bitters
Just combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Stir, then strain into a chilled coup.
Cheers,
Nikola
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New Wines in the Store
2019 Clos de Luz Arao Carmenere Blend
2019 Clos de Luz Massal 1945 Cabernet Sauvignon
2020 Colonia Las Liebres Bonarda Clasica
2021 Altos las Hormigas Blanco
2021 Colli di Lapio Irpinia Campi Taurasini Aglianico
2021 Familia Gramona Gessami Penedes White
2021 Le Marie Pinerolese Barbera
2019 LIOCO Edmeades Vineyard Pinot Noir
2022 Illahe Viognier
2021 A Tribute to Grace Santa Barbara County Grenache
2020 Guillaume Clusel Coteaux Du Lyonnais Traboules Gamay
2019 Domaine de Piaugier Cotes du Rhone Grange de Piaugier
Paul Bara Brut Reserve Grand Cru Champagne
2018 Chateau Peyrat Graves Blanc
2019 Domaine Savary Hommage Chablis
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Friday Tasting Table
Join Amanda from Libation Project
for our FREE Friday Wine Tasting!
Friday, January 27, 4 - 8 p.m.
Get 10% off any of the
wines you taste.
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6oz Pour
Wine Education Class
World Of Wine (WOW) Series
-France, The B-Sides-
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Join us for France, The B-Sides part of the
World of Wine Series! During this class we’ll taste through the likes of Northern Rhone Syrahs, Muscadets, and Savennieres as well as other gems which while not usually in the limelight, certainly demand some attention for their singularity and quality.
Reserve your seats on Tock
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Staff Picks - What to Drink This Week
Try these special, staff-selected libations!
2021 A.J. Adam Im Pfarrgarten Riesling Feinherb - $26.99
Andreas Adam has become a star producer in the last two decades. After his wine studies he revived one of the great German Riesling forgotten Crus; Drohner Hofberg in Dhron which is a tributary river of the Mosel near Piesport in Germany. His first vintage was 2000. The 2021 Im Pfarrgarten Feinherb Riesling is a great entry into the terrior and style of his Rieslings. The wine shows aromas of honeysuckle and green apple fruit and the palate has a creamy mineral medium body with notes of candied lime and pear. Try this fruity Riesling with asian inspired spicy pork sliders or schnitzel with a spicy paprika sauce.
-Rob
2021 Ca' Lojera Lugana - $31.99
In 1992, Ambra and Franco Tiraboschi established Ca' Lojera along the southern shore of Lake Garda in Lombardy, Italy. They named their winery Ca' Lojera (or House of the Wolf) after a local legend that wolves protected the houses of smugglers along the coast of channels that used to connect Lake Garda and Lake Frassine. Today, Ambra and Franco own 18 hectares of vines on the rich, white clay soils of Lugana where they grow Turbiana on the flat land around the lake. Their Lugana is one of my favorite go-to northern Italian whites. This beauty is Turbiana AKA Trebbiano di Lugana, which is altogether different from (and not to be confused with) the Trebbiano Toscana variety. Despite the name, it is actually Verdicchio- no wonder I love it! Light gold in color with enticing aromas of Golden Delicious apples, bay leaf, tarragon and a salty sea-spray minerality. White flowers, white peach and lime zest on the palate. Enjoy with a pasta of garlic and herbs or pan-fried trout with roasted vegetables.
-Angie
Lupulin Hooey (4-pack) - $15.99
With so many IPAs (hazy and otherwise) saturating the beer market today, it may be tempting to swear off the style altogether. But just when you thought you were out, Hooey pulls you back in! By not filtering out the hop oils or yeast that most brewers would, Hooey is packed with an intensely juicy and tropical punch that delights, but doesn't overwhelm. Keep it hazy, keep it local, keep it Hooey.
-Nick
2020 Forlorn Hope ‘San Roriz’ Tempranillo Rorick Vineyard, Sierra Foothills - $29.99
Mathew Rorick has an uncanny knack for letting the grapes do the talking. His now namesake home vineyard was originally planted in the 70’s and has no shortage of personality. A combination of altitude and limestone soil seems to give a distinctive crisp and lively character to a whole slew of varietals planted there. This Tempranillo from 2020 is a particularly good example. Listed at a precise 11.62% alcohol, it lacks nothing in the ripeness department. It is framed in elegantly ripe tannins and bursting with ripe strawberry fruit. It feels at once both straightforward and refined. To me this seems like all new territory for a popular grape, unique and irresistible.
-Dave
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VERY IMPORTANT - Furry Friend Visits! |
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Cheers Everyone!
The Team at North Loop Wine & Spirits
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