30.11.2017 Sommelier Dmitry Bychkov 0

Vermouth: rules and traditions

The product appeared as a perfume, then it was a medicine; today vermouth is drunk mostly by ladies, but 200 years ago it was a purely men's drink. Wormwood wine is considered the most ancient tincture on the planet. During this time, many ways to use it were invented.

The first written recipe for a wine infusion of wormwood is considered to be one written by Hippocrates in the 5th–6th centuries. BC. He used it to treat nervous disorders and stomach ailments.

From Ancient Greece, the drink spread throughout the world and became popular as a disinfectant. In Arab countries, perfumes and scented candles were made from it.

The modern name was given to it by one of the kings of Bavaria at the beginning of the 15th century; from German Vermut means wormwood. But the history of the production of the drink we know today dates back to 1786, when the first industrial line for the production of ready-made tincture opened in Turin. A couple of years later they began to cook it in Lyon, France.

Since then, vermouth has been considered a drink in two countries - Italy and France. Accordingly, it is labeled - Italian vermouth or French vermouth. There are several characteristic differences in their composition and production.

French or Italian

The main difference is the amount of sugar. Italian vermouth is very sweet, with a slight bitterness and intense aroma. It is made from any wine and even a mixture of them. This species is considered female.

The French prepare their drink only from aged white wine, adding virtually no sugar. This is why it becomes bitter, with a sharp aroma of sherry. Even the producers themselves rarely drink it without diluting it.

How to cook

To make the base of the drink, white, red, black and even green grapes are used. Mixing different varieties and degrees of maturity is often used. After distilling the wort, the wine is left to mature in wooden barrels, often with access to air.

After fermentation, the wine is decanted, then either herbs are infused on it or combined with plant extracts. The main raw material - wormwood - remains unchanged. From there, each distillery can improvise.

There are varieties that may contain more than forty plant elements. Some types of vermouth are sweetened after infusion:

• sugar;
• honey;
• fructose.

You can find varieties with spices - allspice, cinnamon, ginger and even mustard. Often these drinks are made with citrus or rose water.

Depending on which wine became the basis, vermouth can be:

1. Secco (or Dry). Men fell in love with it for its dry and cloying taste. Sugar - only 4%;
2. Bianco. Sweet and light women's vermouth. With a fairly high sweetness - up to 15%;
3. Rosso. Very sweet (more than 15%) drink with a rich red color;
4. Rose. Soft pale pink with sugar from 10 to 15%;
5. Bitter. It has a high proportion of sweetness - more than 35%, and a specific taste of medicine. This species is used exclusively for the treatment of diseases of the digestive system. Also presented only as a digestif.

Sweet types of the drink are made white and red. Their color depends on the amount of color - from straw yellow to brown; from pink to dark burgundy. In turn, all red varieties have a more pronounced aroma and intense taste.

Dry varieties are exclusively white. They have a more subtle and delicate smell. Fewer plant extracts are added to them. And they don't add sugar at all.

How to submit correctly

Vermouth is served as an aperitif. The main effect of wormwood is that it stimulates the appetite. Since it precedes a meal, a snack is light cheeses, snacks or canapés.

Before drinking, the drink needs to be cooled quite strongly, to 8-12 0C. Otherwise, the taste of any type will become unpleasant.

In its pure form it is drunk from small glasses with a high stem. One serving - 30-40 ml. While enjoying small, frequent sips, you should not drink vermouth in one gulp - this will prevent it from revealing its taste and aroma.
Etiquette allows you to drink vermouth at any time of the day.

Should I mix?

Wormwood wine is the most common ingredient in cocktails. Over the last century alone, more than a hundred of them have been invented, and in total there are almost 700 recipes.

The preparation of such drinks depends on the desire of the consumer. Some people prefer to simply mix equal amounts of vermouth and orange juice. For some, it is necessary to add strength and mix it with vodka.

A common mistake is mixing vermouth with very sweet carbonated drinks (Coca Cola or Pepsi). Not only are they able to completely neutralize herbal notes, but also the strength of such cocktails is invisible. Sugar quickly introduces alcohol into the systemic bloodstream, causing the drinker to get drunk faster.

The classic is to mix white vermouth, Sprite or Schweppes. Recently, the refrain of the Mojito cocktail, where rum is replaced by fortified wine, has become popular.

There is no general principle on how to drink or prepare cocktails correctly. Vermouth is good in many formulations. On the islands that were under French protectorate - Martinique or San Martin - it is customary to dilute, but not mix. First, fortified wine is poured into the glass, then juice, then topped with fruit. The ingredients are mixed as you consume them.

Snack

If vermouth, or cocktails based on it, are served along with hot dishes, then it is better to eat it with poultry or fish. And after a meal, such a drink does not require a snack.

There is no need to combine vermouth and cheeses with a strong smell. This way you won’t get the taste of both the drink and the snack. Some dry varieties of vermouth are suitable for smoked meat products. But mostly it is customary to drink it with chocolate or fresh fruit.

In Italy, Cinzano Martini is always served with prasciuto - melon with pieces of jamon. And in France - seafood. Tasty is a subjective concept. The Spaniards will offer salted nuts or dried fish with vermouth.

Use in cooking

Fortified wines are often used to prepare various dishes. Moreover, for all categories of food, from marinating meat to soaking cake layers.

The interesting thing is that even the heaviest tasting bitter is suitable for adding flavor. This vermouth is used to prepare aromatic pastries, thick soups and pickles.

Vermouth Bianco is an essential ingredient in tiramisu cake. And the mondoro recipe was invented specifically for Russia and Ukraine.

Some types

In total, there are more than two thousand varieties and varieties of vermouth. From the most affordable - 1-2 euros per bottle, to elite ones, the price of which is more than ten thousand.

However, they are not supplied to all countries. There are species that can only be tasted in the country of origin. 20 types of vermouth have been released to the Eastern European market.

Particularly common brands:

1. Cinzano is a classic Italian brand. It includes all types of vermouth, except bitter;
2. Martini - Cinzano's main competitor, also produces all types of vermouth. In addition, its assortment includes sparkling types of vermouth, for example, Martini Rose;
3. Lille is the oldest French manufacturing concern. Its bitters are considered the official cure for intestinal disorders in Europe;
4. Dolin - has been producing not only vermouths, but also liqueurs based on them for more than two hundred years;
5. Salvatore is a Spanish distillery. They produce only extra type vermouth - very dry, with a high alcohol content;
6. Delasy. Relatively young brand. Co-production between Russia and Spain. Pink, white and green vermouths are produced. Due to difficulties in transcription, their products can be found under the name Delasit.

Vermouth is not tied to historical boundaries; it is also produced in:

• Moldova;
• Argentina;
• India;
• Japan.

Often, introducing their own national characteristics into it. For example, in Bulgaria, dried tomatoes can be added to it, and in South Korea, dried squid powder can be added.

The drink gained particular popularity in the middle of the last century. With the development of cinema, a stable image of a beautiful life appeared - a convertible, a martini and freedom of choice.

Some facts

When drinking vermouth in any form or composition, you need to remember that it is primarily an alcoholic drink. Therefore, it is forbidden to give it to children and pregnant women.

• diseases of the nervous system;
• mental disorders;
• psychiatric diagnoses.

This plant, in addition to its beneficial properties, is also a rather strong drug. Some types of vermouth are quite strong. Due to the essential oils and other compounds they contain, removing them from the body is somewhat difficult.

Therefore, do not plan to travel by car for at least 8 hours after such a cocktail. And if you drink 2-3, the alcohol test will be positive until 16:00.

It is definitely forbidden for alcoholics and drug addicts to drink vermouth during the period of drug remission. There is also information about the negative effect of the drink on the regulation of manic-depressive periods in schizophrenic patients.

Cinzano is a vermouth from Italy, famous since 1757, which is popular in a huge number of countries. Cinzano differs from the famous Martini in its very fresh taste of lemon, herbs and spices, as well as an aroma that is original for the entire line of vermouths. Before purchasing this exquisite drink for the first time, you should familiarize yourself with how to use it correctly, so that your acquaintance with vermouth becomes more pleasant and memorable.

Varieties

There are several varieties of Cinzano vermouth:

1. Bianko is an ordinary classic white vermouth, the manufacturing technology of which is known all over the world;
2. Rosso – red vermouth, for the preparation of which the best red wines are used;
3. Extra Dry – dry and very strong vermouth, which is most often used for cocktails;
4. Rouse - Cinzano pink vermouth, which is made by mixing red and white wines; it has a very soft and pleasant taste;
5. Orangio – in addition to herbs, this vermouth contains orange zest;
6. Limetto – this vermouth has a yellow tint: it is added with lime and lemon.

All these varieties differ significantly in their taste, aroma and appearance. For example, Cinzano Bianco smells pleasantly of vanilla and has a delicate flavor of flowers and spices. Cinzano Rosso has a soft and unobtrusive aroma and is easy to drink. The Extra variety is very strong, which is why many people like to drink it like vodka. Rose will surprise you with the rich taste of fresh fruit, and Orangio will give you the taste of ripe orange. Light and aromatic Limetto is perfect for refreshing on a hot day.

Cinzano consumption rules

1. Temperature for serving vermouth. Cinzano goes best with ice at a temperature of 8-12°C.
2. Combination with other drinks. If the significant strength or specific bitterness of herbs does not suit a person, this alcohol can be diluted with juice in a 1:2 ratio. Sparkling sweet water goes well with vermouth. There are fans who dilute Cinzano with cola, but the unique aroma of the drink can be lost. Cinzano is also good to combine with other alcohol - the result is quite original cocktails.
3. Snack. Vermouth is best paired with light snacks such as olives, lemon, shrimp, nuts and chocolate. You can serve Cinzano with fruit or vegetable salad and assorted cheeses. But most often they don’t eat vermouth at all.
4. Glasses. This vermouth is served in low cognac glasses () with a strong and thick bottom or in special triangular glasses that perfectly reveal the aroma of the drink.
5. Submission rules. Cinzano is not an accompanying alcohol, so it would be wrong to serve it during a feast. This drink is best served to guests before the main meal or after it as a small dessert.

Cocktails and serving

Cinzano is a versatile alcoholic drink that is delicious to drink either undiluted or in combination with other interesting ingredients. This vermouth is an excellent base for many interesting alcoholic cocktails.

• This vermouth has a very pleasant taste when mixed with juice and ice. At the same time, ice not only cools, but also helps to reveal the amazing aroma of the drink. Connoisseurs of Cinzano recommend drinking it with grapefruit juice. Mango, Sicilian blood orange, pineapple and lemon juice also work well. It is recommended to add a slice of orange and a few drops of lemon juice to the vermouth itself.
• Regarding strong alcohol, Cinzano can be mixed with gin in a 1:1 ratio. First, a third of the glass is filled with ice, and only then alcohol is poured.
• Cinzano can be used for those cocktails that require the presence of vermouth or martini. For example, in the favorite drink of the famous James Bond - vodka martini - the last component can be safely replaced with Cinzano. It will turn out very unusual.
• This vermouth goes well with cognac or brandy. You should take one part brandy (or cognac), two parts Cinzano Bianco and four parts tonic for every taste. This cocktail is served with olives and crushed ice.

Cinzano is an original and aromatic alcohol that is good in many forms. All you have to do is find your option and enjoy.

The vermouth brands “Martini” and “Cinzano” are a kind of rivals in the production of these alcoholic beverages. They produce and supply the luxury alcohol market with an almost identical range. Despite the fact that the first name is more common today, the history of the second brand, that is, “Cinzano,” is a whole century older.

Origin

The Cinzano brand was founded by the Italian Cinzano family back in the seventeenth century in Turin. In those days, aromatic wines called “elixir” were very popular in Italy. The family owned vast lands for growing white, red and pink grape varieties and other raw materials, such as herbs, spices, fruits, etc., necessary for the production of these tasty and aromatic drinks. Soon the wines of the Cinzano family gained enormous popularity not only throughout the entire region, but also in Italy as a whole. After the drink was approved by the country's nobility, it became a stunning success, and in 1703 the family of winemakers received an official license, which gave it the right to both produce and sell wine throughout the country, and then beyond its borders.

History of the company's development

The Cinzano brothers, however, decided not to limit themselves to their knowledge, which came with practice, but entered a specialized university and only after that they began to seriously engage in the mass production and marketing of drinks. Their shop was originally called an elixir shop. Being qualified specialists in the production of wine, the brothers Cinzano, Giacomo and Carlo began to experiment. Each time they added one or another bouquet of aromatic herbs to the wine. Some of them gave the drink a sour taste, others - a bitter taste, and others, on the contrary, sweetened it. As a result, a huge variety of miraculous and aromatic wines was created, the most successful of which was called vermouth.

About 30 years later, the Cinzano company became the official supplier of this extraordinary elixir to the royal court of Italy. After that, each new generation of the Cinzano family made its contribution to the development of this brand, and over the years the range expanded, as well as the geography of distribution.

International fame

Since 1859, Cinzano brand vermouths began to gain popularity outside of Italy. As a reward, the company received gold medals at the Royal Wine Exhibitions in London in 1861 and 1863. By this time, the Martini company also began to produce vermouth. At that time, Cinzano had already established production facilities in France, and in 1922, on the American continent, in Argentina, a factory and winery were founded to produce this already world-famous divine drink.

In the 70s of the last century, Cinzano vermouth became known on all continents and even became popular in distant Oceania and Southeast Africa. At the end of the last century, this brand began to lose its popularity, but the company that bought it, Campari Group, returned the famous Cinzano to its former glory. 2004 marked a new rise for the drink.

"Martini": history

As already noted, this brand was founded almost a hundred years later than Cinzano. Martini is also an Italian brand that has been producing products since 1847. Unlike Cinzano, its spread around the world began to occur much more rapidly. Perhaps this was facilitated by the success of another Italian vermouth, which was described above. In a word, having emerged a whole century later, Martini became the first competitor to Cinzano. Where did this name come from? In 1863, three businessmen became co-owners of the wine production: A. Martini, L. Rossi and T. Sola. After this, the company became known as MARTINI, SOLA e Cia.

Company expansion

Rossi was a specialist, a highly qualified winemaker and was engaged in experiments to identify new varieties of drinks. He is the author of the aromatic and tasty product familiar to us. Unlike him, Martini was not a winemaker, but he acted as an excellent commercial agent, and thanks to his entrepreneurial spirit, the brand began to take part in various exhibitions of international importance. In different cities of Europe, and then America, tastings were regularly held for noble persons and even members of the royal courts of Europe.

Two years later, after Martini became the head of the company, the vermouth produced by the brand received its first gold medal for quality. All this gave the entrepreneur an incentive to develop and promote him on the world market. In a matter of years, the company's representative offices were opened in more than 70 countries around the world. Since 1879, the company became known as MARTINI & ROSSI. 20 years later, having become the main competitor of Cinzano, Martini became the main supplier of Italian vermouth for the royal courts of Great Britain, Denmark, Portugal, Japan, Belgium, and Austria. After this, Martini drinks began to be associated with a rich and luxurious life and were considered truly royal. In 1992, this Italian company merged with the Bacardi family and has since become known as BACARDI-MARTINI.

What is the difference between Martini and Cinzano?

As they say, there is no arguing about tastes. People prefer one brand over another without even knowing anything about the differences. So what is the difference between “Cinzano Bianco” and “Martini Bianco” or “Cinzano Rosso” from “Martini Rosso”. Martini's drinks are said to be less bitter than Cinzano's vermouths. However, experts know that their main difference is the age of the brands. According to statistics, today the sales level of both one and another company is basically the same. However, Cinzano's assortment includes more sparkling wines.

Nevertheless, the main production of both companies is associated with vermouth - a fortified wine made from pink, white or red grapes, which is infused with herbs and spices, various fruit and aromatic additives. It is noteworthy that the total number of ingredients can reach 40. Among them are vanilla, mint, cinnamon, bay, orange peels, cardamom, ginger, etc. A distinctive feature of Martini vermouth is the content of wormwood extract. This, perhaps, is the difference between Martini and Cinzano.

"Asti"

Champagne "Asti" is the pride of Italy. And its manufacturer is the Cinzano company. Champagne is made from Italian White Muscat grapes, which are grown in the province of Piedmont. It is from this that Asti wine is made. This drink is already several hundred years old. The vineyards where White Muscat is grown belong to the Cinzano company. Martini also produces Asti champagne, which has gained popularity all over the world, but the Italians themselves trust the founders of this drink more. This sunny country, rich in culinary traditions, even has a region called the Cinzano Region. Italians believe that the best champagne is Italian, which is produced by the oldest company in existence.

Which drink do you prefer: Martini Asti or Cinzano Asti? Of course, both are simply great. They are truly a royal treat, can improve your mood and give you the opportunity to feel the taste of life. Only true connoisseurs are able to grasp small taste nuances and realize the difference between Cinzano and Martini. Moreover, other, less experienced consumers in this matter will never be able to distinguish one from the other if they do not know that these are different drinks.

More expensive does not mean better

By the way, there is one more difference between “Martini” and “Cinzano” and it has nothing to do with taste or quality. It's just that the first is more expensive than the second. It is more popular, advertised and is one of the favorite drinks of high society women, which means it is a sign of a luxurious life. In modern trading conditions this is a very important point. The Cinzano company, considering itself a pioneer in the production of Italian vermouth and sparkling wines, does not spend a lot of money on promotion, focusing on consumers who know the history of the brand.

The best examples in the company's assortment

The most similar pair of drinks among the production of these two companies is Gran Dolce “Cinzano” / “Martrini Bianco”. Both drinks have a light straw color. They are very aromatic, light and sweet in taste, with a hint of bitterness. Both are made from dry white wine. Only in the aftertaste of “Martrini Bianco” you can feel vanilla, while in “Dolce” other spices predominate. Both the first and second have a slightly tart taste - this is due to the herbs included in the composition.

As a conclusion

So, what do we know from this article? Summarizing the above, we can note that the Italian companies Martini and Cinzano are the main suppliers of vermouth in the world. The range of these two companies is practically no different. The only thing is that Cinzano produces more sparkling wines. The pioneer in this area is not the famous Martini company - one of the symbols of expensive life, especially for women, but Cinzano, which is 90 years older than the first. We must pay tribute to the founding brothers of this brand. With their painstaking work, they were able to develop a huge number of recipes for elixirs (as vermouth was formerly called in Italy), produce them, and also managed to bring them to the international market. In a word, their path was much longer and more difficult.

The founders of Martini took advantage of the popularity that Italian vermouth had gained all over the world, and it was much easier for them to follow the beaten path, since such an excellent entrepreneur as Alessandro Martini was at the head of the company. It was he who was able to conduct a competent and successful advertising campaign, rise to the highest level and make his brand popular and the most recognizable brand of luxury drinks throughout the world. Years go by, various interesting drinks appear, and Martini continues to be a favorite drink for sophisticated ladies, while men prefer strong cocktails containing this elixir.

Greetings to everyone who came to see me!

Cinzano- the best-selling vermouth, which is much older in age than the well-known Martini. The most interesting thing is that it was not originally intended as a wine or an alcoholic drink! It was prepared with spices and medicinal herbs, and the main component was wormwood, which gave the taste of vermouth a peculiar bitterness. This drink was intended to treat the digestive system, but it was so popular that it had to be put into mass production. Today, the most popular vermouth producers are Cinzano and Martini.

BRAND HISTORY:

"Cinzano"(Italian Cinzano) is a brand of vermouth produced in Italy since 1757 and sold in more than 100 countries, including Russia, has several varieties. Especially popular in Western Europe and South America. Depending on the specific country, Cinzano ranks either first or second in terms of sales in the vermouth category. About 38 million cases of Cinzano vermouth are sold annually on the world market. The main competitor is Martini brand vermouths. Since 1999, the Cinzano brand has been owned by Gruppo Campari.

Cinzano is sold in a transparent bottle and has a characteristic greenish tint. It is more profitable to buy a large, 1 liter bottle.

Price varies depending on the region. Here it varies from 600 to 700 rubles per liter.

The laconic design of the packaging makes it recognizable. White classic vermouth appeals to me most of all, but dark Rosso turned out to be too tart. The bottle has a regular screw cap.

DESCRIPTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER:

In addition to being present in white wine, Cinzano Bianco is flavored with herbs, seeds, flowers and fruits. The exact preparation recipe and proportions of each component are a strict secret of the manufacturer. However, it is known for sure that about 50% of the aromatic base of the white classic Cinzano vermouth is Alpine wormwood. In addition to it, the list of herbs that impart both a bitter and sweet taste includes: black elderberry, cardamom, mint, yarrow, cinnamon, horehound, oakberry, tansy, cinchona bark, etc.

I would like to note that I rarely buy Martinis. It's all about the benefits - Cinzano has almost the same taste, and costs almost half as much. But still, Martini has a softer taste and is easier to drink, I have to admit...

DIFFERENCE FROM MARTINI:

Slight difference in recipe. Difference Martini from Cinzano but also from other vermouths, is that in Martini The taste of wormwood is significantly less noticeable.

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO DRINK?

Cinzano Bianco is a strong wine, its alcohol percentage is 15%, which makes its taste tart. It is impossible to drink it in its pure form; in my opinion, it is too sweet. It is recommended to dilute with fruit juices in a ratio of 1:2 - one part vermouth and two parts juice.

I don’t recommend drinking it with cola, because the taste is too cloying. Some people mix Cinzano with other alcoholic drinks, but I prefer not to do this, as the taste of the vermouth itself is interrupted.

Types of vermouth that Cinzano produces:

• Bianco (Bianco) - used as an aperitif with a delicate flavor (the most popular type);
• Rosso (Rosso) - classic, red, sweet with a strong sweetish aroma;
• Extra Dry (Extra dry) - a dry variety with the aroma of berries and citrus;
• Rose (Rose) - pink, has a subtle fruity flavor;
• Orancio (Orancio) - light amber color, combines the taste of wine and orange peel extract (hard to find on sale);
• Limetto (Limetto) - pale yellow color, base - lime extract and lemon zest extract.

COMPOUND:

The taste is very pleasant, herbal. But, looking at the composition, I understand that the product is not natural. And the presence of herbs in it is doubtful for me - after all, there is a herbal flavoring, as well as preservatives. For this I cannot give Cinzano Bianco five stars. But it deserves four stars thanks to its fresh taste!

WHAT DISHES IS IT PAIRED WITH?

White vermouth goes well with sweets, so it is appropriate to serve it with dessert. I add a couple of spoons to ice cream - it turns out very tasty. It also goes well with fruit salads, but connoisseurs of this drink strongly do not recommend drinking vermouth with food, as this will interrupt its delicate herbal aroma.

Drink chilled, for me the optimal temperature is 10 degrees. 100 ml of drink contains 150 calories, which makes the drink high in calories, especially when combined with fruit juices. Therefore, if you are watching your figure, it is better not to drink a lot.

I like Cinzano Bianco, despite the presence of flavoring in the composition. It is not as tart as Rossi and goes well with cherry and orange juice in cocktails.

But Martini has a milder taste because it does not contain wormwood in its recipe. And it costs almost twice as much... Which vermouth to drink is up to you.

Surely you've heard of her! Yes? But you don't know much about this universal Teymurov paste.

That's all. Thank you for attention. See you again!