The history of winemaking dates back many centuries. Already in ancient times, winemakers came up with recipes for alcoholic drinks, mixing different grapes, insisting on herbs, drove out alcohol, which became the basis of strong drinks. The profession of a winemaker is akin to the profession of a perfumer: you can create a masterpiece that will win the hearts of millions. Over time, some recipes were forgotten, others became so popular that they were passed down from generation to generation, and some were stamped “top secret”.
Vermouth
Many recipes of the now popular alcoholic drinks are rooted in ancient times. Such a representative is vermouth. The recipe for this wine was known several centuries before our era. The basis of the drink is red or white wine, infused with medicinal herbs. Some recipes use up to forty varieties of plants, spices and berries: mint, chamomile, lemon balm, coriander, caraway seeds, etc. But the most important herb is wormwood. It is she who gives the wine an unforgettable stupefying aroma and bitterness. Hippocrates attributed unprecedented healing properties to vermouth. And it was vermouth that inspired winemakers Alessandro Martini and Louis Rossi to create a drink that has been admired for more than a hundred years.
Martini Rosso: how it all began
In 1863, Italian Alessandro Martini founded a wine company. Together with his friend winemaker Louis Rossi, he decided to create a vermouth, but a milder taste, different from the classical one. The task was not an easy one: remaking wine, which has more than twenty-five centuries, is an ungrateful task. But they took a chance and did an excellent job. The new drink immediately appealed to everyone: the caramel flavor, the delicate spicy aroma of herbs, the moderate strength and delicious amber-red color captivated many. Such an unusual vermouth began to be called martini. Currently, the words vermouth and martini are synonyms.
Stars prefer Italian vermouth
Martini is a bohemian drink, possibly due in large part to advertising. And although martini was always popular, modern cinema made a huge advertisement for him: beautiful ladies and rich men always drink martinis. Yes, and agent 007 James Bond preferred it. Despite the fact that martini is a brand, production is rather laborious, and the recipe is classified, it has a rather affordable price. Martini is affordable for almost everyone. This also applies to martini rosso. And whoever tried it at least once will not confuse with anything else. About martini rosso, admired reviews are left not only by women but also by men. Ladies prefer to drink this vermouth either in pure form or with diluted orange or grapefruit juice. But men use it as an aperitif, mixing with vodka. Martini Rosso can be diluted with water if you want to lower the degree. By the way, the strength of this drink is 16%, despite this, it quickly gets intoxicating. Because they do not drink it in one gulp - this is considered bad form. And in order to fully enjoy the subtle notes of taste, you should adhere to certain rules.
How and with what do Martini Rosso drink
In order for the wine to fully reveal its taste, it must be cooled to 12 degrees. To do this, keep the bottle of drink in the refrigerator for about half an hour. If he is too warm or cold, he will not open his bouquet. Undiluted Martini Rosso is poured into low, square shaped glasses. And served with a straw, but you can without it. Traditional glasses for this cone-shaped drink on a thin leg are used, as a rule, for cocktails prepared on the basis of martini. Drink this drink in small sips, enjoying the taste. Martini rossos are served with salted crackers, mild hard cheeses or nuts. Many women prefer to eat such vermouth with strawberries, oranges or lemon. But the traditional appetizer, of course, is an olive on a skewer, dipped in a glass. Many people prefer to drink cocktails with martini rossos, for example, the famous Manhattan.
Manhattan Cocktail
For one serving you need:
- 20 g martini rosso;
- 50 g of American whiskey;
- cherry for a cocktail.
In a chilled glass, mix the above ingredients with a spoon and pour into a conical glass, putting cherries on the bottom. Have a great time!