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Aragonese artisan vermouth: what you should know
Vermouth has experienced a renaissance in recent years, going from being a drink associated with grandparents and summer evenings to becoming an essential cocktail in bars and restaurants around the world.
In Aragon, the tradition of vermouth has a long history that we are going to tell you about today, since today, it remains one of the most emblematic drinks in our community. We are sure that some of these facts will surprise you, so join us to discover everything about this drink.
The history of vermouth in Spain
We are in Italy in the 18th century, when vermouth as we know it in Turin emerged. Its invention is attributed to Antonio Benedetto Carpano, an Italian distiller and merchant, who in 1786 created the first modern recipe for vermouth in his shop in Turin. Carpano used white wine and macerated it with a mixture of herbs, roots, spices and sugar, resulting in a balanced, aromatic and slightly sweet liqueur.
Carpano called his drink "vermouth" inspired by the wines flavoured with wormwood that already existed in Germany and France and which are the precursors of today's vermouth. His recipe was an immediate success, becoming one of the favourite drinks of the Italian aristocracy and later, of the general public.
This invention spread throughout Europe, Spain adopted vermouth as a social drink and made it a fundamental part of its culture. Here, vermouth has been adapted to local tastes, with sweeter and fruitier versions than those in Italy and France.
Our country has also adapted its way of consumption. For us, it is normal to drink red vermouth straight, accompanied only by ice, a slice of orange and olives inside, while in other countries such as Italy or France, it is usual to mix it with soda, since their vermouths are drier in comparison.
When did vermouth arrive in Aragon?
Aragon was no exception. In the first decades of the 20th century, vermouth began to gain popularity in Aragonese cities, especially in Zaragoza, where the tradition of drinking vermouth as an aperitif before a meal became firmly established.
For years, vermouth in Aragon was mainly a homemade drink, prepared by the Aragonese themselves using herbs and spices typical of the community such as thyme, rosemary, wormwood, and citrus fruits. Over time, several regional brands such as Vermouth Turmeon, Vermú Aragonés Artesano or Casa Valdepablo began to produce vermouth more professionally, and Aragon became established as one of the most important producing regions in the country.
Characteristics of vermouth in Aragon
Vermouth is a wine macerated with herbs, spices and other aromatic ingredients, which give it a generally sweet taste.
In Aragon, there are several varieties of vermouth, each with particularities and nuances that depend on the region in which it is produced and the traditional recipes that are kept alive over the years.
Red Vermouth and White Vermouth
As in the rest of the world, Aragonese vermouths are mainly divided into red (or sweet) vermouth and white (or dry) vermouth. Red vermouth is the most common in Aragon, with a sweeter and fruitier taste, while white vermouth tends to be drier and fresher. However, some producers can get creative with some vermouths that combine both types of wine or that come in other colors, such as pink.
Artisanal and Local Vermouth
Aragon has been characterized by its artisanal production of vermouth. Many of the most popular and distinctive vermouths come from small local wineries, which continue to use ingredients from the region. For example, in places like La Rioja Baja, some producers incorporate herbs and fruits from the Aragonese fields, such as cardoon or apple, which gives it a unique and special flavour.
The ritual of a good vermouth
Now that you know the main story, it's time to learn how to drink a vermouth in the purest Aragonese style.
Vermouth Time: Between 12:00 and 14:00
Vermouth is usually drunk at a very specific time, between 12:00 and 14:00, before the meal. It is a drink that perfectly accompanies relaxed conversations between friends and family, where a pleasant time is shared before eating, a delicious social drink.
Typical Accompaniments: Tapas
One of the great attractions of vermouth in Aragon is the tapas that accompany it. In many Aragonese bars and restaurants, ordering a vermouth also means enjoying a delicious tapa, which can range from olives, sandwiches of whipped ham, to more elaborate dishes such as calamari. The combination of flavours between vermouth and tapa is essential to fully enjoy this tradition.
Where to enjoy vermouth in Aragon?
If you are travelling through Aragon and want to experience vermouth to the fullest, you cannot miss some of the bars and restaurants that are key. In Zaragoza, for example, we recommend El Tubo, an area of bars known for offering quality vermouth accompanied by traditional tapas. In Teruel, the Pura Cepa bar is another emblematic place to enjoy a good vermouth.
We encourage you to enjoy vermouth wherever you are, a Spanish tradition that allows you to socialise and enjoy a good time before eating. You can consume it in so many different ways that you are sure to find one that you like. If it doesn't convince you, you can combine it alone, like in a Negroni, for example.
What better way to accompany this article than with a good glass of vermouth? Fill a glass with ice and pour yourself one to whet your appetite, purely for informational purposes, of course.
