Martini&RossiExtraDryVermouth

<p>“The Original” Vermouth is still an indispensable element of every bar — on its own or in your favorite cocktail. </p><p><em>The Distilleria Nazionale di Spirito di Vino</em> in Pessione, Italy was a Vermouth bottling operation in the mid 1800s. Soon, three managers had assumed command and were running the place like masters — <em>Alessandro Martini</em> was the brains, <em>Luigi Rossi</em> was the Wine-maker, and <em>Teofilo Sola</em> was the finance guy. It was a match made in Spirits heaven and the business thrived. Eventually, Rossi’s sons came to head up the company and it was a<em> family operation for generations.</em> Now owned by Bacardi, they produce a wide range of Bitters, Vermouths, and Sparkling Wines under the Martini & Rossi brand.</p><p>They call <em>Martini Extra Dry “The Original Vermouth”</em> — beginning as it did in <em>1863.</em> We’ve found no reason to doubt the claim (though Cinzano claims an earlier date). Most of us know Vermouth as one of the key components of cocktail-making, which, of course, it is. But it was originally derived as a medicinal drink and then as a<em> stand-alone Aperitif.</em> At the core it is a fortified Italian White Wine — <em>Trebbiano and Catarratto </em>— infused with herbs and gentle spices.</p><p><u>Smartass Corner:</u><em>The word “Vermouth” comes from the Germanic “wermut,” meaning “wormwood.” The herb has been a bittering agent in Spirits for hundreds of years and also is the primary component of Absinthe and other Spirits.</em></p>