Vermouth, Amari and Bitters Flashcards
1
Q
What is an aromatized wine?
A
Wine based beverages that are flavored with aromatic botanicals.
2
Q
What were some of the oldest discovered remains of fermented beverages and where were the found?
A
Aromatized wines, in China (1250 BCE) ad Iran (5400 BCE)
3
Q
What was Hippocras?
A
A wine infused with wormwood (artemisia absinthium) highly sought after in ancient Greco-Roman cultures.
4
Q
What was Hippocras consumed as?
A
A stimulant and restorative, deemed to have healthy and invigorating tonic effects.
5
Q
When are modern aromatized wines usually consumed?
A
As an aperitif or digestif.
6
Q
What is the largest subcategory of aromatized wines?
A
Vermouth
7
Q
What other category of beverage could aromatized wines technically be classified as?
A
Fortified wines
8
Q
What are the main categories of aromatized wines?
A
Vermouth
Vini amari/chinati
Quinquina
Americano
9
Q
What is Vermouth?
A
Aromatized, fortified wines typically flavored with artemisia and other approved natural herbs, fruit, spices, or flavorings.
10
Q
What is Vini Amari/Chinati?
A
Aromatized, unfortified wines produced using a variety of bitter and herbal flavorings.
11
Q
What is Quinquina?
A
Aromatized, fortified wines flavored with cinchona bark (also known as quina, kina, or china - the Italian pronunciation)
12
Q
What is an Americano aromatized wine?
A
An aromatized, fortified wine flavored with Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) and gentian.
13
Q
What are the requirements for aromatized wines in the EU?
A
Must have a wine base of 75% before enhancement.
May have added grape must
Flavored with natural flavorings
Generally sweetened, possibly colored with caramel
Have an alcoholic strength of 14.5-22%
14
Q
What are the requirements for extra-dry aromatized wines in the EU?
A
A minimum alcohol strength of 15%
Sugar content of less than 30 g/L
15
Q
What are the requirements for dry aromatized wines in the EU?
A
A minimum ABV of 16%
Sugar content less than 50 g/L
16
Q
What are the requirements for semi-dry aromatized wines in the EU?
A
Sugar content between 50 and 90 g/L
17
Q
What are the requirements for semi-sweet aromatized wines in the EU?
A
Sugar content between 90 and 130 g/L
18
Q
What are the requirements for sweet aromatized wines in the EU?
A
Sugar content more than 130 g/L
19
Q
What are the EU requirements for Sangria?
A
A red-wine-based beverage with citrus fruit and spices, sometimes with brandy, served over ice. As of 2014 must be product of Spain or Portugal. If not, must be labeled with place of origin, followed by Sangria (eg German Sangria).
20
Q
What is Clarea?
A
A white-wine-based beverage made with honey and spices. Dates to the 1500s, originally made in Naples.
21
Q
What is Zurracapote?
A
Also called Zurra. Similar to sangria, a Spanish red-wine-based beverage made with fruit macerated with sugar, cinnamon, fruit juice, and sometimes brandy.
22
Q
What is Kalte Ente?
A
A sweetened drink made with white wine, sparkling wine and lemon, traditionally made in Germany with Riesling and sparkling wine.
23
Q
What is Maiwein?
A
An aromatized wine drink flawored with Asperula odorata (sweet woodruff). Other ingredients may include strawberries, brandy, sparkling wine, and sugar. Traditionally served on May Day in Germany (and throughout the spring).
24
Q
What is Cremovo?
A
An egg based aromatized wine made with marsala. Produced exclusively in Sicily, where it may also be called Marsala all’Uovo.
25
What are aromatized wines and vermouth classified as in the US?
Aperitif wines.
26
What is the definition of Vermouth in the EU?
A fortified, aromatized wine containing a minimum of 75% wine before enhancement. Must be flavored with Artemisia.
27
What is the maximum ABV for Vermouth in the EU?
22% ABV
28
What is the minimum ABV for vermouth in the EU?
Varies by sweetness -
Extra-dry (Sugar less than 30g/L) - 15%
Dry (sugar less than 50 g/L) - 16%
Semi-dry/Sweet (Sugar >50 g/L) - 14.5%
29
What are the requirements for aperitif wines in the US?
Must be based on grape wine.
Fortified with brandy/other alcohol to minimum 15% ABV
Flavored with herbs and other natural aromatic flavoring materials
Produced without addition of juice, concentrated juices, sugar, and/or caramel colorings.
30
What are some classic cocktails that include vermouth?
Martini
Manhattan
Americano
Negroni
31
What type of wine base are most vermouths made from?
White wine
32
What is Chambéry?
A region in the French alps with a long history of vermouth production. The home of House of Dolin and Distillerie des Alpes
33
What is the House of Dolin?
One of the original producers of Chambéry vermouth. Produces several styles of vermouth.
34
What is Dolin Blanc?
A sweet, white vermouth.
35
What is C. Comoz Blanc?
A sweet white vermouth produced by Dolin, using a recipe from 1856.
36
What is Chambéryzette?
A beverage local to Chambéry that combines Dolin dry vermouth with the juice of wild strawberries.
37
What is Distillerie des Alpes?
A vermouth producer in Chambéry making vermouth based on formulas passed down from Philibert Routin, an herbalist from the late 1800s.
38
What wines are Routin vermouths based on?
Wines from Savoie.
39
What is Routin Blanc?
A vermouth infused with a range of flavorings including vanilla, thyme, and elderflowers.
40
What is Routin Dry?
A vermouth produced using 17 botanicals including bitter almonds, rosemary, and rose petals.
41
What is Noilly Prat?
The main producer of Marseilles style vermouth.
42
What is the Marseilles style of vermouth?
A vermouth made from barrel-aged base wines resulting in oxidative, lightly wooded, and marsala-like properties.
43
When did Noilly Prat first begin large-scale production of vermouth?
The 1850s.
44
Where is Noilly Prat currently produced?
Marseillan, France - 130 miles from Marseilles.
45
What are some styles of vermouth produced by Noilly Prat?
Original Dry White Vermouth
Extra Dry White Vermouth
Rouge Vermouth
Ambre Vermouth
46
How is Noilly Prat Original White Vermouth produced?
Using local white wine barrel-aged for up to 12 months.
47
What are some of the flavorings in Noilly Prat white vermouth?
Chamomile
Gentian
Nutmeg
Bitter orange peel
48
What are some of the flavorings in Noilly Prat sweet red vermouth?
Saffron
Cloves
Cocoa beans
49
What are some of the flavorings for Noilly Prat ambre vermouth?
Cardamom
Cinnamon
Lavender.
50
What is Torino-style vermouth?
Often called Italian vermouth, red vermouth, or sweet vermouth, has floral notes and spice aromas above its herbal character.
51
What is Carpano?
A notable producer of Torino-style vermouth, founded in 1786. Pioneered the sweeter, darker style of Torino vermouth.
52
What is Carpano Antica Formula?
A high end red vermouth produced by Carpano. Has a heavy addition of vanilla.
53
What is vermouth alla vaniglia?
Carpano Antica Formula - a designation for its heavy addition of natural vanilla.
54
Who currently owns Carpano?
The Milanese firm Branca.
55
What is Carpano Punt e Mes?
A drink that combines vermouth and bitters. Sometimes referred to as vermouth chinato or vermouth amari.
56
What is Vermouth Chinato?
Another name for Punt e Mes.
57
What is Vermouth amari?
Another name for Punt e Mes.
58
Who was Giulio Cocchi?
One of the earliest producers of Torino style vermouth. Began making vermouth in 1891 in Asti.
59
What is Giulio Cocchi Spumanti Srl?
A distillery/winery that makes a wide range of products including grappa, sparkling wine, and amari, as well as vermouth.
60
What is Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino?
A sweet, amber hued vermouth produced from Cocchi's original, 120 year old recipe.
61
What is Boissiere?
A producer of vermouth located in Torino that also produces Chambéry style vermouth.
62
What is Vermouth di Torino?
A specific product with GI status in the EU. It must be produced within the region of Piedmont using a base of Italian wine and must be fortified with the addition of spirits. The main flavoring must be artemisia and the ABV must be between 16-22%.
63
What is Vermouth di Torino Superiore GI?
A type of Vermouth di Torino with a minimum of 17% ABV
64
What is Trieste Vermouth?
The home of Stock Spirits Group, that makes Torino style vermouths in Trieste.
65
How is Spanish vermouth usually consumed?
On the rocks with a splash of soda water, garnished with perhaps a wedge of orange or green olives.
66
How does Spanish vermouth compare to Italian vermouth?
Spanish vermouth tends to be somewhat lighter and less bitter than Italian.
67
What is Perucchi?
A Spanish vermouth producer in Catalonia with a range of products including re white, extra dry, reservas, and special editions. Based on Spanish wines from Emporda, Valencia, and La Mancha.
68
What are Perucchi vermouths noted for?
Characteristic aromas of chamomile, ginger, lemon verbena, cinnamon, mint, and orange blossom.
69
What is Yzaguirre?
A vermouth producer in Tarragona in Catalonia Spain. Produces a range of vermouths. Some are oak-aged with a unique balsamic character.
70
How is Yzaguirre vermouth produced?
As a "mistela" vermouth. Some products are made using a base of unfermented grape must fortified with spirits to arrest fermentation.
71
What is Vermouth Miró?
A Catalonian producer of a range of vermouths.
72
What is Casa Mariol?
A Spanish vermouth made by the Vaquer family in Tarragona (Catalonia) Spain for over 100 years.
73
What is Casa Mariol Vermut Negre?
A black vermouth made using a base of local white wine made from Macabeo (AKA Viura) grapes and fortified with grape neutral spirits. Over 160 botanicals are used as flavorings. It spends up to six months in a solera-style oak-aging system.
74
What is Primitivo Quiles?
A Spanish Vermouth from the Alicante area of Spain. It produces "alpine style" vermouths using red wine based on Mouvedre. Proprietary formula contains cinnamon, clove, ginger, and nutmeg.
75
What is Lustau?
A Spanish Vermouth from Jerez in Andalucia based on sherry.
76
What is Vermut Rojo from Bodegas Lustau?
A premium red sherry Vermouth based on Pedro Ximénez and Amontillado.
77
What is Vermut Blanco from Bodegas Lustau?
A Spanish white Vermouth based on Palomino and Moscatel.
78
What is Vermut Rosé from Bodegas Lustau?
A unique Vermouth based on Palomino, Moscatel and Tintilla de Rota.
78
What is Uncouth Vermouth?
A Vermouth from Brooklyn with little relation to traditional styles. Flavors include apple and mint; pear, ginger and butternut squash; beet and eucalyptus; And Serrano chili and lavender.
79
What are Vini Amari?
Bittered wines.
80
What are some examples of Vini Amari?
Chinato d'Erbetti
Barolo Chinato
Cardamaro
81
What is Chinato d'Erbetti?
A Vini Amari originally from Piedmont, Italy. Now made outside of Italy as well.
82
What is Barolo Chinato?
A version of Chinato d'Erbetti made using Barolo DOCG wine flavored with bitter herbs and other botanicals. Created in the late 19th century.
83
How is Barolo Chinato produced?
Using a range of production techniques, some infuse directly into the wine, other create an infusion (botanicals and distilled base spirit) that is later blended into the wine.
84
What bittering agent is used in Barolo Chinato?
Calisaya bark - a species of Cinchona bark and a source of quinine.
85
Who is Giuseppe Cappellano?
An Italian pharmacist in Serralunga d'Alba in the late 19th century often cited as an original producer of Barolo Chinato, along with the house of Giulio Cocchi
86
How is Barolo Chinato served?
As an aperitivo, digestivo, or dessert wine. Excellent accompaniment to chocolate.
87
What is Cardamaro?
A vini amari produced in Pidemont based on Moscato wine and flavored with cardoon and blessed thistle. These botanicals were used in the Middle Ages and Renaissance to combat disease, including the black plague.
88
Describe Cardamaro.
Based on a sweet wine and is milder, mellower, and less intensely bitter than other Vini Amari. Nutty, oxidized, and aldehydic character similar to Sherry.
89
What is Quinquina?
Flavored and fortified wine with Cinchona bark as the primary botanical.
90
Where does Cinchona bark usually come from?
Peru or India.
91
How is Quinquina made?
Cinchona bark is chipped or powdered and macerated into the wine. Sugar and other botanicals, as well as fortifying spirits, may be added.
92
What was Cinchona bark originally used for?
Medicinal purposes - particularly the quinine used to treat malaria.
93
What is Lillet?
A mild Quinquina created in Bordeaux.
94
What is Kina Lillet?
The original Lillet from Bordeaux, made from white Bordeaux wine with locally sourced fruits and herbs. Reformulated in 1986.
95
What is Lillet Blanc?
The reformulation of Kina Lillet. Less bitter, less sweet. Not appreciated by some consumers.
96
What are some different versions of Lillet?
Lillet Blanc
Lillet Rouge
Lillet Rosé
Réserve Jean de Lillet Blanc (based on Sauternes)
Réserve Jean de Lillet Rouge.
97
What is Bonal Gentiane Quina?
A French Quinquina based on mistelle (grape juice fortified before fermentation begins or just after the start). Infused with gentian root, conchona, and a variety of herbs found in the local Chartreuse Mountains. Balanced flavor that is sweet, bitter, and noticeably woody.
98
What is Dubonnet?
A Quinquina created in Paris in 1846 as Quinquina Dubonnet. Now produced by Heaven Hill Distilleries in Kentucky. Originally rouge, the blanc version was made later, primarily for the American market.
99
What is Byrrh?
A Quinquina originally produced in Roussillon in France. Combines a mistelle with dry red wines, and soaked with cinchona bark. Now made by Pernod Ricard.
100
How is Byrrh made?
A mistelle made using a variety of grapes (mainly Carignan and Grenache), mixed with dry red Roussillon wines. Dried, crushed cinchona bark and other botanicals are added and it is aged 3 years in foudres (large wooden barrels).
101
Who were Pallade and Simon Violet?
The inventors of Byrrh.
102
What is Byrrh Rare Assemblage?
A high end version of Byrrh introduced in 1999. Aged for a minimum of ten years in small oak barrels. Mahogany hue, intense aromas of candied red fruit, and flavors of vanilla, coffee and spice.
103
What is St. Raphael?
A French quinquina created in 1830 flavored with quinine extract, bitter oranges, cocoa, vanilla, and other ingredients. Both amber and rouge versions produced.
104
What is the history behind St. Raphael?
A French physician known as Dr. Juppet reportedly became nearly blind while working on his quiquina based elixir. Invoked St. Raphael who supposedly restored his sight.
105
Describe St. Raphael.
Balanced sweetness and bitterness characterized by red fruits with a hint of chocolate.
106
How is St. Raphael generally served?
On the rocks with a twist of lemon as an aperitif.
107
What is Americano?
A category of aromatized, fortified wines flavored with wormwood and gentian. Not to be confused with the Americano cocktail or coffee drink.
108
What does amer mean?
The French word for bitter.
109
What is gentian?
A flowering plant that grows in Europe's mountainous regions. Several used in the production of flavored wines, spirits and other beverages.
110
What is Cocchi Americano?
An Americano aromatized wine produced in Piedmont.
111
What is the white version of Cocchi Americano made using?
Moscato d'Asti, flavored with cinchona bark, citrus peel, spices, and other botanicals.
112
What is considered the closest contemporary product to the original Kina Lillet?
Cocchi Americano (white version)
113
What is used in the production of the red version of Cocchi Americano?
Wine produced from a blend of Brachetto and Malvasia grapes, with cinchona bark, citrus peel, spices, rose petal, ginger, and other botanicals.
114
What is Contratto Americano?
A former producer of Vermouth di Torino, now currently produces Contratto Americano Rosso as well as many other alcoholic beverages.
115
What is Contratto Americano based on and flavored with?
White wine made from the Cortese grape, botanicals steeped in brandy, caramelized sugar, and over 30 ingredients including mint, ginger, hibiscus flower, nettle, wormwood, lemon peel, licorice, angelica, and bitter orange peel.
116
What are spirit amari?
Bittered spirits, generally classified as either aperitifs or digestifs.
117
What are digestif spirit amari?
Bittered spirits often served in more concentrated forms to enhance digestion after a meal. Usually contain botanicals with carminative properties.
118
What botanicals are known for the carminative properties?
Angelica, aniseed, basil, caraway, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, dill, fennel, ginger, hops, nutmeg, parsley and sage.
119
What do botanicals with carminative properties do?
Lessen gastric discomfort after rich meals.
120
What is Fernet Branca?
A spirit amari invented in Milan in 1845.
121
What is fernet?
A type of herbal-based bitter made in Italy and other countries (eg Mexico)
122
Where is Fernet Branca particularly popular?
San Francisco and Argentina.
123
What beverage was consumed legally in San Francisco during prohibition on the grounds of being medicinal?
Fernet Branca.
124
What is Fernet-Vallet?
A Fernet produced in Mexico.
125
What ingredients are likely to be found in good fernet?
Most likely: Myrrh, Saffron
Others: linden, galanga, peppermint oil, sage, bay leaves, gentian root, St. John's wort, rhubarb, chamomile, cardamom, aloe, and bitter orange.
126
What is Cynar?
An amaro made with artichokes, first produced in Italy in 1949.
127
What is Zucca?
Am Italian amaro created in 1845 using rhubarb, gentian, cardamom, and vanilla, as well as spices and botanicals advised by Chinese herbal medicine.
128
What beverage was awarded a contract to supply the royal house of Italy with Amaro due to its appreciation by King Vittorio Emmanuel?
Zucca.
129
Describe Zucca.
Bittersweet, smoky flavor profile, often served neat as an aperitivo or over ice with soda.
130
What is Campari?
An amaro with an intense bitter-orange flavor invented in Italy in 1860, one of the earliest Italian amari to become popular outside of Europe.
131
What is Averna?
A Sicilian Amaro.
132
Describe Averna.
Smooth, rich, brown amari with flavors of licorice, cola, sassafras, chocolate, and citrus.
133
What amaro is used in the Black Manhattan?
Averna.
134
What is Amaro Nonino?
An Italian amaro based on grape brandy and local herbs from the Carnia Mountains.
135
What is special about Amaro Nonino Quintessentia?
It is based on Nonino single-variety grape brandy, uses local products whenever possible, is aged for five years in oak barrels of Nevers, Limousin, and ex-sherry origin. Has a smoothness not always seen in other amari.
136
What is Ramazzotti?
One of the oldest amari in Italy from Milan, based on a proprietary blend of 33 herbs, roots and other botanicals.
137
What is Amaro Montenegro?
An Italian amaro first created in Bologna in 1885. Named in honor of Princess Elena of Montenegro, who became second queen of Italy after marrying Victor Emmaanuel III. Slightly sweet, less bitter.
138
Who were Silvio and Luigi Barbieri?
The inventors of Aperol.
139
When and where where was Aperol created?
In 1919 in Padua, Italy.
140
What is Chartreuse?
A French amer first produced in Grenoble in 1737.
141
Which amer is produced by Carthusian monks?
Chartreuse.
142
What is Une Tarragone?
A liqueur produced by the Carthusian monks in Tarragona Spain after they were expelled from France and the Chartreuse distillery was nationalized.
143
Where is Chartreuse currently produced?
Voiron, France.
144
What is VEP Chartreuse?
A chartreuse that is aged longer than the yellow and green versions and packaged in a reproduction of the bottles used in 1840. Each is individually numbered, sealed with wax, and preserved in a wooden box.
145
What is Suze?
A bright yellow French amer created in Paris in 1889, now produced by Pernod Ricard.
146
What amer was featured in a collage by Picasso?
Suze.
147
What is in Suze?
Wild gentian root harvested from the mountains of the Jura and Auvergne regions of France, as well as vanilla, dried wildflowers, fennel, bitter oranges, and honey.
148
What is Salers?
A French amer produced in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region since 1855.
149
How is Salers made?
Hand picked gentian root is steeped in neutral spirits. It is later distilled and flavored with other botanicals before being aged in French oak.
150
Describe Salers.
Natural, light straw-yellow color with aromas of citrus peel, mint and vanilla. Slightly sweet, somewhat bitter, refreshing and complex.
151
What is a white negroni?
A cocktail made with gin, white/blanc aromatized wine, and Salers.
152
What is Bénédictine?
A French amer produced in Fécamp in Normandy, France.
153
What is the legend around Bénédictine?
Alexandre Le Grand alleged that he discovered the 350 year old recipe created by a monk for a secret elixir. There is debate as to whether this is true or a marketing scheme.
154
What is Bénédictine based on?
Cognac.
155
On what French amer is D.O.M. (Deo Optimo Maximo - To God, most good, most great)?
Bénédictine
156
What is B&B (Bénédictine and Brandy)?
A less sweet and less intensely herbal version of Bénédictine.
157
What drink features Bénédictine?
The Vieux Carré, invented in New Orleans.
158
What is in the Vieux Carré?
Bénédictine, rye whiskey, cognac, and sweet vermouth.
159
What is Picon?
A French amer with a distinctly bitter orange flavor developed in 1837.
160
What is Picon Punch?
A cocktail popular in the Basque regions of Spain, featuring Picon, grenadine, and soda water served over ice with a twist of lemon.
161
What is the Brooklyn?
A variation on the Manhattan that features Picon, rye, dry vermouth, and maraschino liqueur.
162
What is in the Liberal Cocktail?
Picon, sweet vermouth, orange bitters.
163
What is the top-selling bittered spirit in the world?
Jägermeister
164
What style of liqueur similar to Jägermeister is produced in Central Europe?
Kräuterlikör.
165
Who was Curt Mast?
The original distiller of Jägermeister.
166
Who was Saint Hubertus?
The patron saint of hunters, whose story is reflected in the label on Jägermeister.
167
What is Zwack Unicum?
A Hungarian bitter liqueur created using over 40 different botanicals and aged 6 months in oak barrels.
168
Who was Dr. Jozsef Zwack?
The inventor of Unicum.
169
What is Becherovka?
A Czech bittered spirit, currently produced by Pernod Ricard..
170
What spirit is produced in Karlovy Vary?
Becherovka.
171
Who was Josef Vitus Becher?
The inventor of Becherovka.
172
What is the Drogikamr room?
A room where the secret formula for Becherovka is kept, where only two people are allowed access.
173
What is the Beton?
A cocktail made using Becherovka, invented to be served in the Czech Pavilion at the 1967 World Expo in Montreal.
174
What is Gammel Dansk Bitter Dram?
A Danish bittered spirit created in 1964. It uses rowanberry bitters as well as 28 other botanicals.
175
Describe Becherovka.
Bittersweet with spicy flavors of ginger, cinnamon and clove.
176
Describe Gammel Dansk Bitter Dram.
Copper-colored, moderately bitter, and quite spicy. Flavors of Rowanberry, anise, gentian, ginger, and cinnamon.
177
What is Margerum Amaro?
A California Amaro made in Santa Barbara. .
178
When and where were Angostura Bitters invented?
1824 in Venezuela.
179
Where did Angostura bitters move to?
Port of Spain in Trinidad.
180
When and where were Peychaud's Bitters invented?
New Orleans in 1830.
181
Who was Antoine Amédée?
The Haitian Creole inventor of Peychaud's Bitters.
182
What were coquetiers?
Dainty eggcups originally used to serve Peychaud's Bitters - may be a possible explanation for the origin of the term "cocktail"
183
What cocktail includes Peychaud's bitters as an integral part?
The Sazerac.
184
What are Fee Brothers Bitters?
An American bitters product originally started by brothers in a saloon. They come in over a dozen flavors.
185
What are Regan's #6 Orange Bitters?
Created in 1990, based on formerly very common bitters, to make pre-prohibition era cocktails.
186
What are the five leading brands of bittered spirits?
Aperol
Campari
Fernet Branca
Jägermeister
Ramazzotti
