Israel Romero / Sunday, November 1, 2020 / Categories: Enoteca Time for vermouth, time to celebrate life — by MadeinSpain.store Time for Vermouth Depending on where you are in Spain, aperitif hour is accompanied by a vermouth (vermut). A drink that’s increasingly popular — a true classic in Catalonia and gaining more fans across the country. Vermouth Is Not a Fad Forget Me Not by Clos Figueras Lustau White Vermouth by Lustau Selected Fine Wines Fot-li by Alegre Wines and Spirit VRMT Andalusí by Bodegas Robles Vermouth Is Not a Fad I don’t think it’s a fad, but rather a lifestyle and a moment to enjoy with friends and loved ones. The weekend is usually the ideal time to enjoy what they call “vermutear.” Many think it’s simply serving and drinking a vermouth, but it goes beyond that. One of the few pleasures that remains for us even during these days of pandemic and confinement is to pamper our palate. Enjoying this drink takes on a new dimension and becomes a premium gastronomic experience. We at MadeinSpain.store recommend a few vermouths along with a selection of gourmet products from our Gastronomy Ambassador Xavi Lahuerta. 1. Forget Me Not by Clos Figueras (DOQ Priorat) A different vermouth, produced in Gratallops, Priorat, by the Clos Figueras winery. Normally the base wine is white, but in this case they decide to use two grape varieties typical of the area: Garnacha Tinta and Cariñena. After obtaining the wine from this blend, the aromatic herbs are left to infuse for about 60 days. The aging is done in 500L barrels for another 18 months. An artisanal vermouth in the style of Reus, very gastronomic. On the nose it is intense, with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, and on the palate a pleasant finish with Mediterranean herb notes. To fully enjoy and discover the potential of this vermouth, Xavi Lahuerta recommends some Ibiza Salt potato chips, toasted bread with Naturvie green olive pâté, and San Filippo salted anchovy fillets. 2. Lustau White Vermouth by Lustau Selected Fine Wines (D.O. Jerez-Xérès-Sherry) A white vermouth based on Fino and Moscatel wines, two flagship wines from the Jerez area in Cádiz. Serve it very cold — a refreshing aperitif with citrus touches, a pleasant initial sweetness that will whet your appetite, and a finish that recalls the fino wine of Jerez. When preparing tapas at home, pull out what you have in the fridge. Our chef recommends pairing it with a vegan cheese from Veggie Karma, Karmage, the smoked-paprika fermented semi-cured variety. The Naturvie seasoned olives can go into the glass with ice and a strip of lemon peel. For the brave, the Truffled Salchichón from Casa Riera Ordeix is an exquisite accompaniment. 3. Fot-li by Alegre Wines and Spirit With an avant-garde design, made from the Garnacha Blanca variety and bottled in Reus, Fot-li is without a doubt a good vermouth at an affordable price. It has a bright color; on the nose it’s clean, with hints of orange peel and natural spices like licorice and ginger. Being aged in oak, the palate has a bitter finish that makes you want to repeat. Are you ready to get hooked on this moment? Cut some slices of the authentic Fuet de Vic from Casa Riera Ordeix, serve with pan con tomate, and open some preserves from Nosa Batea — that pairing will make it your ideal moment. If you like duck Foie Gras, take a look at the selection we offer from Foie Gras El Creco. With no additives or preservatives, preserving all its properties, you’ll only have to open the fridge, sit on the sofa, enjoy the sun, and let the flavor steal your heart. 4. VRMT Andalusí by Bodegas Robles (D.O. Montilla-Moriles) One of the big news items is the vermouth from Bodegas Robles. Together with two-Michelin-star chef Paco Morales, the third generation of the winery decided to produce VRMT Robles, using the region’s flagship grape, Pedro Ximénez. With an Andalusian recipe based on an organic Oloroso wine that has been aged eight years in oak barrels, it strikes a balance between sweet, acidic, and bitter, with memories of southern spices, especially clove and cinnamon. Perfect to enjoy with smoked foods, charcuterie, and also nuts. If you like potato chips, a trick is to add a few drops of La Tapia anchovy vinegar, a unique and entirely natural product that will revolutionize the palate. While you prepare everything, start with some “Tomato Bravo” savory crackers from Paul & Pippa to open your appetite. I hope any of the four plans I suggest suits you. As you can see, Spain can offer premium gastronomic products of the highest quality at very reasonable prices, thanks to our website, which allows products to be delivered directly to your home. How to Find Happiness: The Pleasure of Eating Premium Spanish Gourmet Foods The best mussels in the world come from Galicia. Print 2 Rate this article: No rating Please login or register to post comments.