The word aperitif derives from the Latin word aperire meaning “to open.” The purpose of this beverage is to delight the senses and open up one’s appetite. True aperitifs have a bitter sweet character that stimulates the production of gastric juices and promotes overall appetite.
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Aperitif wines typically have a bit of sweetness, they are typically made from wine grapes and there is distilled spirit (fortified) and botanicals added for flavour and aroma. Aperitif wines can be served before or after the meal, on their own or in a cocktail. Filled with history, aperitif wines are sure to add a bit of sophistication and old world charm to your next dinner party.
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Bond, James Bond
Vermouth gained popularity in the 1950s with help from the Martini with celebrity endorsements from actors such as Ernest Hemingway and Humphry Bogart. The most successful advertiser of the Martini was – as we all could have guessed – James Bond! Vermouth is the French pronunciation of Wermut, the German word for wormwood. Historically, wormwood was used as an ingredient to make this aperitif. Vermouth starts as a neutral flavoured Italian grape wine, with the addition of distilled spirit along with a custom blend of aromatics from natural items such as roots, barks, flowers, seeds, herbs and spices. It is then adjusted for sweetness. Vermouth can be white or red and is found in many cocktails, including the Martini, the Manhattan and a Negroni.
Around the World
Sherry is made with white grapes and is then cask aged. It originated in Jerez, Spain and unless it comes from that area it cannot be called Sherry. Sherry is produced in a variety of dry, dark and sweet styles. Palomina is the predominant grape used and it is traditionally served from a copita, a special tulip-shaped Sherry glass. Old sherry casks are sold to the scotch whisky industry for use in aging whisky.
Port is made in Portugal with many indigenous Portuguese grapes and brandy or spirit added. It is then aged in large oak casks and is always a blend of grapes and many port houses still use traditional foot stomping of the grapes. It can be white, rosé, red, and tawney and its title is reflective of its colour. If you see a vintage on the bottle, all the grapes are from that single vintage or year. If it says “Tawny” on the label, the minimum time the wine has been aged in oak is 10 years.
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Madeira is also a fortified red wine, but made in the Madeira islands of Portugal. It is distilled and then cask aged. Historically, this wine was shipped on boats during the time of exploration, and would heat up along the voyage. That is how it got its unique flavour. To this day, the wine is still crafted with high temperatures to acquire its unique flavour.
It is generally fair to say that French producers are better known for the lighter, dry and white vermouths, and Italian producers for the red, spicy-inspired vermouths. All commercial vermouths are proprietary formulas, and it is their unique botanicals and flavor profiles that distinguish them
Christopher Columbus brought Sherry on his voyage to the New World and when Ferdinand prepared to sail around the world in 1519, he spent more on Sherry than on weapons.
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When it comes to aperitifs, they are exciting and delicious and you should be open to exploring them whether in a cocktail, or on their own.
Serving Tips:
- Serve Aperitif wines in vintage glasses or beautiful rocks classes at 14 Degrees Celcius (57.2 Degrees F)
- Decant your port for a classic look (vintage accessories look great). As a rule of thumb, it should be passed on the left
- Use white or Rosé port in a creative cocktail. Some include 1 part port and 1 part soda water with a lemon garnish and/or 1 part port and 1 part sparkling wine if you’re up for it!
