American Vermouth? Yes, Really

When you think of vermouth, the brands that most likely come to mind are Cinzano and Martini & Rossi, both from Italy, or perhaps Noilly Prat and Dubonnet from France.  Of course there are many other well-known imported labels and you’ll find them listed on a web site devoted to vermouth.  You’ll also find a comprehensive list of the boutique brands being made in many parts of the USA.

Vermouth is making a comeback according to Amy Zavatto at Fox News.  Like so many styles of drink, vermouth as an aperitif was just about killed off by Prohibition.  After Prohibition ended (80 years ago this month), vermouth fell into the spirits category and became an added ingredient to mixed drinks.  It is a wine-based beverage and it doesn’t age very well.  So if you are basing your opinion of vermouth on that bottle that has been lingering at the back of the cupboard for who knows how long, you need to buy a fresh bottle, keep it in the fridge after opening, and drink it up within about a month.

Millennials are stepping back into the 1800s and embracing vermouth both sweet and dry.  Those made in the USA can taste quite a bit different since there is no requirement here to use wormwood as a bittering agent as there is in Europe.  Producers have free reign to be creative with the addition of botanicals as well as selection of the base wine.