What Is Vermouth? The Rioja Discovery I Nearly Didn't Bring Home

We listed two vermouths on the website recently, and within days we needed a second delivery. 

Which is slightly ironic, because I nearly didn't buy them in the first place.

During my recent trip to Rioja, we visited Lacuesta, one of Spain's oldest vermouth producers. As part of the visit, we sat down for a detailed tasting of 6 different vermouths. They were fascinating, layered and incredibly delicious, but I wasn't entirely sure whether vermouth was something Nude Wine Co customers would be interested in.

Then I started chatting to some of the other people on the trip, and I was astonished to hear the feedback. Vermouth is one of the trendiest drinks right now. 

So we decided to take a chance on listing a product that isn't wine, and the result has been a phenomenon. 

And after spending time with the producers, tasting the range and learning the history, I can see exactly why vermouth is enjoying such a revival.

What Is Vermouth?

At its heart, vermouth is wine.

That surprises a lot of people.

Vermouth is made by taking a base wine and infusing it with a blend of herbs, spices, flowers, roots and botanicals before fortifying it with alcohol. The result is an aromatic, flavour-packed drink that sits somewhere between wine, aperitif and cocktail ingredient.

The best vermouths don't hide behind sugar or flavourings. Just like great wine, they begin with a high-quality base product.

That's exactly what impressed me about Lacuesta.

The wine itself is excellent before a single botanical is added.

The Extraordinary Story Behind Lacuesta Vermouth

One of the reasons I fell in love with Lacuesta is the story behind it.

During the Spanish Civil War, members of the Manuel Jovet family sought refuge in the cellars of the Lacuesta family.

The Lacuesta family sheltered them during the conflict and, as a gesture of gratitude, the Manuel Jovet family later gifted them a secret vermouth recipe.

That recipe remains the foundation of Lacuesta Vermouth today.

In a world where so many products are built around marketing stories, this one feels refreshingly genuine. It is a story of friendship, generosity and family heritage that has survived generations.

How Is Vermouth Made?

The production process is surprisingly similar to winemaking in that quality ingredients are everything.

The first step is selecting the wine base. At Lacuesta, a quality white wine forms the foundation of every vermouth. And to take it a step further, the white vermouth is the basis for the whole range. 

The wine is then infused with a carefully guarded blend of 24 natural herbs and botanicals. Every producer has their own recipe, and many remain closely protected family secrets.

After infusion, the vermouth is fortified and balanced before bottling. Some styles may also spend time ageing to add further complexity.

The Lacuesta Reserva, for example, spends seven months ageing in used French oak barrels, creating additional depth, spice and texture.

What Is The Difference Between White And Red Vermouth?

This is perhaps the most surprising fact about vermouth.

Both white and red vermouth are typically made from the same base. 

The colour difference comes from the botanicals used and, in the case of red vermouth, the addition of caramelised sugar.

White Vermouth

White vermouth tends to be fresher, brighter and more aromatic.

Expect flavours of citrus peel, white flowers, fresh herbs, lemon zest and subtle spice. Lacuesta Blanco is wonderfully fragrant and refreshing, making it perfect as an aperitif.

Red Vermouth

Red vermouth is richer and more complex.

You'll find notes of orange peel, dried fruit, baking spices, herbs and caramel. The Lacuesta Reserva delivers remarkable depth and length, with layers of spice and savoury complexity that make it ideal for sipping slowly.

Can You Drink Vermouth Neat?

Absolutely.

In fact, this is one of the most popular ways to enjoy vermouth in Spain.

Across Madrid, Barcelona and San Sebastián, you'll find locals enjoying a glass of vermouth over ice with a slice of orange before lunch.

The tradition is so popular that it even has its own name: La Hora del Vermut or "Vermouth Hour".

After tasting seven vermouths in Rioja, I can confidently say that some of the best examples deserve to be enjoyed exactly this way.

No cocktail required.

Just ice, an orange slice and good company.

What Are The Best Cocktails Made With Vermouth?

While I have become a huge fan of drinking vermouth neat, it also plays a starring role in some of the world's most famous cocktails.

Negroni

Equal parts gin, red vermouth and Campari.

A classic cocktail that balances bitterness, sweetness and spice beautifully.

Manhattan

A sophisticated blend of whiskey and sweet vermouth.

Rich, warming and wonderfully complex.

Martini

Perhaps the world's most famous vermouth cocktail.

The combination of gin and dry vermouth creates an elegant, aromatic drink that has stood the test of time.

Vermouth & Tonic

One of my personal favourites.

Simply pour vermouth over ice, top with tonic water and garnish with orange. Refreshing, easy to make and perfect for summer evenings.

Why Wine Lovers Should Pay Attention To Vermouth

What struck me most during our visit to Lacuesta was how much great vermouth has in common with great wine.

Both rely on quality raw materials.

Both reflect tradition and craftsmanship.

Both tell stories about people, places and families.

For years, I viewed vermouth as something that belonged in cocktails.

Now I see it differently.

If you enjoy discovering something a little different, Lacuesta Vermouth might just be the most exciting bottle you'll try this summer.

Sláinte,

Michelle Lawlor
Founder, The Nude Wine Co.