• Artemisia Wormwood
    SPIRITS

    Botanicals in the Vermouth

    Although Vermouth was born in Italy, most of the botanicals used in this aromatized fortified wine are not typical of Italy, like for example the Wormwood. Let’s discover together the secret of this famous Italian Aperitif. Wormwood / Artemisia Absinthium Every producer has its own proprietary recipe, their own maceration, and extraction process, and a tradition passed generation through generation. Nonetheless, there are some ingredients that must be in the Vermouth recipe. For example, the wormwood, which actually gives the name to this wine: Vermouth comes from the German word Wermut and it means wormwood. Even if wormwood was one of the original and central botanicals of the medicinal wine,…

  • Vermouth
    SPIRITS

    Vermouth

    Vermouth is an aromatized, fortified wine flavored with various botanicals (roots, barks, flowers, seeds, herbs, and spices) of which each producer has his own secret recipe. The two styles are dry and sweet. We are working on this Vermouth description. Please come back soon.Send us an e-mail if you are looking for more info at cheers@drinkitalian.com Looking for interesting books about Vermouth and Aperitivi?– Aperitif: A Spirited Guide to the Drinks, History and Culture by Kate Hawkings– Vermouth: A Spirited Revival by Adam Ford Additionally, you can discover other Italian Spirits.

  • GRAPE VARIETIES

    Cornalin

    Cornalin is a grape cultivated in Valle d’Aosta. It is very tannic and it needs some aging to show its potential. It has smoky and spicy aromas and flavors. We are working on this Cornalin grape description. Please come back soon.Send us an e-mail if you are looking for more info at cheers@drinkitalian.com Two of the best books about Italian grapes, where some of this information come from, are:– Native Grapes of Italy, by Ian d’Agata– Italian Wine Unplugged, by Steve Kim Additionally, you can discover the other grapes from Valle d’Aosta.   

  • GRAPE VARIETIES

    Perricone

    Perricone is a grape present in Sicily and it is used to make ruby Marsala. Some monovarietal wine, even rare, are now produced. We are working on this Perricone grape description. Please come back soon.Send us an e-mail if you are looking for more info at cheers@drinkitalian.com Two of the best books about Italian grapes, where some of this information come from, are:– Native Grapes of Italy, by Ian d’Agata– Italian Wine Unplugged, by Steve Kim Additionally, you can discover the other grapes from Sicily.      

  • GRAPE VARIETIES

    Nocera

    Nocera is a grape found around Messina in Sicily in the angle of the island close to the Calabria. It was important in the past as it was part of the blend of Faro DOC. We are working on this Nocera grape description. Please come back soon.Send us an e-mail if you are looking for more info at cheers@drinkitalian.com Two of the best books about Italian grapes, where some of this information come from, are:– Native Grapes of Italy, by Ian d’Agata– Italian Wine Unplugged, by Steve Kim Additionally, you can discover the other grapes from Sicily.      

  • GRAPE VARIETIES

    Nerello Mascalese

    Nerello Mascalese is a grape present on the Etna Volcano and it is named after the Mascali plain in the Northeast of Catania. There are many biotypes as it has high intravarietal variability. We are working on this Nerello Mascalese grape description. Please come back soon.Send us an e-mail if you are looking for more info at cheers@drinkitalian.com Two of the best books about Italian grapes, where some of this information come from, are:– Native Grapes of Italy, by Ian d’Agata– Italian Wine Unplugged, by Steve Kim Additionally, you can discover the other grapes from Sicily.      

  • GRAPE VARIETIES

    Nerello Cappuccio

    Nerello Cappuccio is a grape found in Sicily in the Etna area. It is less widespread than Nerello Mascalese and they are usually blended together in the Etna DOC Rosso. We are working on this Nerello Cappuccio grape description. Please come back soon.Send us an e-mail if you are looking for more info at cheers@drinkitalian.com Two of the best books about Italian grapes, where some of this information come from, are:– Native Grapes of Italy, by Ian d’Agata– Italian Wine Unplugged, by Steve Kim Additionally, you can discover the other grapes from Sicily.      

  • GRAPE VARIETIES

    Frappato

    Frappato is one of Sicily’s oldest grape varieties. It adapts well to hot and dry conditions and it gives the best expression in red sandy-calcareous soil. We are working on this Frappato grape description. Please come back soon.Send us an e-mail if you are looking for more info at cheers@drinkitalian.com Two of the best books about Italian grapes, where some of this information come from, are:– Native Grapes of Italy, by Ian d’Agata– Italian Wine Unplugged, by Steve Kim Additionally, you can discover the other grapes from Sicily.      

  • GRAPE VARIETIES

    Calabrese / Nero D’Avola

    Calabrese is the most important red grape variety in Sicily, commonly called Nero d’Avola. The name translates as Black from Avola, which is a small town next to Siracusa. We are working on this Calabrese / Nero d’Avola grape description. Please come back soon.Send us an e-mail if you are looking for more info at cheers@drinkitalian.com Two of the best books about Italian grapes, where some of this information come from, are:– Native Grapes of Italy, by Ian d’Agata– Italian Wine Unplugged, by Steve Kim Additionally, you can discover the other grapes from Sicily.      

  • GRAPE VARIETIES

    Uva di Troia

    Uva di Troia is a grape found in the Northern part of Puglia. It is medium intensity in color but it is also used for the production of Rosato wines. We are working on this Uva di Troia grape description. Please come back soon.Send us an e-mail if you are looking for more info at cheers@drinkitalian.com Two of the best books about Italian grapes, where some of this information come from, are:– Native Grapes of Italy, by Ian d’Agata– Italian Wine Unplugged, by Steve Kim Additionally, you can discover the other grapes from Puglia.