In South America there is a loyal base of bitters drinkers — whether it is vermouth, Campari or Fernet. Due to the enormous influx of Italian immigrants in the 19th century, these drinks have always found a place on the dinner table and in local bars. As the world celebrates its very first Vermouth Day this 21st March, I thought it would be fun to recommend some of the best vermouths in South America. There’s been a boom in vermouth production recently with some excellent craft vermouths coming to the fore, often made by local winemakers.
What is vermouth made of?
Vermouth is made from wine which is fortified with brandy (to give it a punchy 16-19% ABV) and it is flavoured with different botanicals. To be vermouth, it has to include at least one wormwood or artemisia as a botanical but it can also include any other combination of fruits, herbs, flowers and barks. What makes the trend particularly exciting for wine geeks is that these craft vermouths include local wine and grape varieties, with locally sourced and foraged botanicals. It’s an interesting dive into the terroirs of South America’s wine regions.
The best vermouths to try from South America
La Fuerza vermouth from Argentina
This trio of Andean vermouths (white, red and pink) is made with wine and botanicals from Mendoza. The guys behind La Fuerza are certainly at the head of Argentina’s vermouth revival and helping bring it back to the tables of restaurants and bars around the country. Julián Díaz, Agustín Camps, Sebastián Zuccardi and Martín Auzmendi are all involved in the world of wine and food, and came together to make good vermouth out of a desire to drink it themselves.
The wine (Malbec and Torrontés are the bases) is all made under the eye of Sebastian Zuccardi, one of Argentina’s top winemakers, in his Santa Julia winery. The botanicals are all sourced from the Andes, with 30 going into the blend.
The red vermouth (Malbec-based) is driven by spices with a bitter finish which is fab with soda or in a Manhattan. The white vermouth (Torrontés based) is delicate and aromatic with lively citrus and herb notes, this one I like best by itself with a splash of soda water and ice. And the rosé is a pretty, floral vermouth (also Torrontés based) which is nice with tonic.
Not only does La Fuerza make great vermouths but they also have a fantastic vermouth bar in Buenos Aires, which is the ideal spot to imbibe on their delicious local cuisine and range of vermouths one lazy afternoon. And they make Vermouth drinks ready to drink by the can — just in case you need a Vermouth on the go!
Vermut Flores from Uruguay
With Tannat as its base, Vermut Flores is certainly one of character! Deliciously dark and brooding, the red vermouth makes a fabulous Negroni and includes 27 botanicals including cardamom, roses and chamomile. The rosé vermouth is one to drink with soda water. Both are made with wine from the vineyards of Juan Andres Marichal, the winemaker and one of the founders of this delicious project in Uruguay.
Negroni recipe for Vermouth Day with Vermut Flores
- 1 part Vermut Flores red vermouth
- 1 part Campari
- 1 part gin
Mix in a wide glass with ice. Add a twist of orange peel. Enjoy!
Vermut del Gallo from Chile
These two small production artisanal vermouths (red and white) from Colchagua use Pipeño as their base wines, with both País and Moscatel making their way into the blend. They are made with all local botanicals as well sourced mainly from Colchagua valley. There’s quite a bitter touch to the red vermouth of Vermut del Gallo making a mean Negroni which invites you to keep drinking!
Matias Riccitelli ‘vermouth del monte’ from Argentina
Argentine winemaker Matias Riccitelli got rather creative in the pandemic and started making his own cheese, his own fortified wines and his own vermouth… Since the pandemic, he’s taken it to a new level working with French botanist Melanie Roy (whose artwork is attached to the bottle) to forage for lots of interesting herbs and flowers in the hills of La Carrera, where Riccitelli makes his Sauvignon Blanc base. Delicious vermouth if you can get your hands on it.
Happy vermouth day!
