Martini traces history of vermouth

MARTINI has published materials tracing the multifaceted history of vermouth, a classic aperitif. The release outlines the beverage's journey from ancient fortified wines to its contemporary status as an aperitif.

Vermouth, as defined by current EU regulations, is a wine-based drink containing at least 75% wine, with added sugar and flavored with botanicals, including mandatory species of the genus Artemisia. The name "vermouth" itself derives from the German word "wermouth," referring to wormwood (Artemisia absinthium).

According to Martini, the modern vermouth emerged in the late 18th century in Turin, Italy. Building on millennia of wine culture, this refined beverage has become synonymous with the Italian "aperitivo." The company notes that ancient Romans commonly consumed wines they enhanced with herbs and bitter agents to stimulate appetite, though these practices largely faded in Western Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire.

Methods for flavoring wines were reintroduced in the 12th century, facilitated by Italy's position connecting East and West. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century further aided the dissemination of this knowledge. By the late 18th century, "wermouth" wine, flavored with Artemisia absinthium, arrived in Turin, leading to the creation of "Vermouth di Torino." By the early 19th century, production scaled up industrially, and the drink became a favored "aperitivo" in the city's burgeoning cafes.

The MARTINI brand was established in 1863 in Turin by Alessandro Martini, Teofilo Sola, and Luigi Rossi. The company has since played a significant role in popularizing vermouth globally as a key component of Italian beverage culture.