Martini Details Vermouth's Historical Roots

The Martini brand has released a comprehensive look into the history of vermouth, highlighting its roots in ancient winemaking traditions and its evolution through European trade and cultural exchange. European regulations now define vermouth as a product at least 75% wine-based, sweetened, fortified, and flavored with plants, mandating the use of species from the Artemisia genus.

The name 'vermouth' itself derives from the German word 'Wermut,' referring to wormwood, one of the key herbal ingredients. Layers of its history trace back to ancient Mediterranean wine culture, where wine was flavored and preserved with herbs and resins. While these techniques were largely forgotten in Western Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire, they survived and developed in the East.

Italy, particularly the Piedmont region, became a pivotal area for the rediscovery and development of vermouth from the 12th century onwards. The spread of printing technology from the 15th century facilitated the dissemination of flavored wines. In the Turin region, benefiting from optimal conditions for raw materials and enological knowledge, "Vermouth de Turin" emerged in the latter half of the 18th century. It was in this context that the MARTINI brand was founded in 1863.

Martini & Rossi have achieved widespread international recognition for the quality of their products, earning numerous awards since 1865. Their history runs deep into the traditions of winemaking and herbal flavoring, forming the foundation for today's vermouth offerings.