Vermouth’s Secret: Wine or Something Else?
Get ready to sip on this: Vermouth isn’t just a cocktail staple—it’s a fortified wine with a story as complex as its herbal notes. The answer to whether it’s made from wine is a resounding yes, but the journey from grape to glass is anything but simple. Vermouth begins as a neutral white wine, often fortified with spirits to elevate its alcohol content to 15–20% ABV. This base is then steeped with a medley of herbs, roots, and botanicals, each contributing layers of flavor. Wormwood, the star of the show, adds an earthy bitterness, though its presence has evolved over…