Cocchi - 'Vermouth di Torino' - Piemonte, IT

The last remaining example of appellation Vermouth di Torino to comply with all of the classical requirements, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino ‘Storico’ has been produced since 1891. Cocchi uses estate Moscato as the wine base, and vibrant, spicy botanicals such as cocoa, citrus, ginger, and rhubarb. In contrast with other popular Italian vermouths, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino ‘Storico’ retains wines of Piedmont as the base and avoids a heavy sheen of vanilla that clashes with other cocktail ingredients. Vermouth di Torino stands apart as one of only two protected geographical indications of origin for vermouth, and is the style referenced by classic cocktail books when discussing “Italian vermouth.” This vermouth is dynamic and powerful without being weighty. It adds elegance to a 2:1 Manhattan, Martinez or Palmetto. The fruity Moscato grape is counterbalanced by vegetal components, making Cocchi Vermouth di Torino ‘Storico’ easy to love over ice with a twist. Or enjoy its complexities in a low-ABV Collins by substituting it for gin. The bitter edge and brilliant acidity complement rich or salty foods. Serve with a cheese-and-charcuterie board for a unique and satisfying pairing. In a Manhattan, Cocchi is the classic. Pair with spicy whiskeys of all proof levels, from Bulleit to Booker’s.

Italy’s Piemonte region has long been known for its wines, from the fragrant Moscatos of Asti to the intricate-but-powerful Nebbiolos of Barolo and Barbaresco. At the same time, the long history of global trade funded by banks in the city of Torino brought exotic herbs from all over the world to the region. Combine the wine, the herbs, and an epicurean public hungry and thirsty for new things, and the modern history of Vermouth begins in the late 18th century. The Torino style of vermouth reflected the robust wines of the region, heady with Moscato fruit, sweet and opulent, but firmly bitter to mimic the bite of Nebbiolo’s great tannins. While the modern rules for Vermouth di Torino have been relaxed, a few traditional wineries, most notably Cocchi, still use Moscato for its unmistakable fragrance.

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Cocchi has produced wine-based aperitifs and traditional Piemontese sparkling wines since 1891. Since 1978, the company has been owned and operated by the Bava Family, themselves renowned producers of sparkling wine in Monferrato and Langhe. Giulio Cocchi was a young and creative pastry chef from Florence, where he worked in a popular bar located in Piazza del Duomo. In the late nineteenth century he moved to Asti, a small but lively town in northwest Italy, not far from Torino, and established himself as a distiller and winemaker. His Barolo Chinato, Aperitivo Americano and vermouths became well known during the Belle Epoque and the Italian Futurist period. By 1913 there were twelve Cocchi tasting Bars in Piemonte. Today the winery maintains its artisan character and follows Giulio’s original recipes to craft the distinctive wines that have made Cocchi a cult name worldwide. In the last 30 years, Cocchi has revived the forgotten wine categories Barolo Chinato and Vermouth di Torino. It was also a leader in establishing the appellation Alta Langa DOCG for traditional Piemontese spumante.