Martini Rosso Vino Vermouth Old Version 5 Italy 70 cl

 

Under a sun-faded label sits a small piece of Italian drinking history — a bottle that has stood untouched for decades, its story written in patina rather than polish.

Expert Description

This bottle is an antique Martini Rosso Vermouth from the Italian house Martini & Rossi in Torino. The label references the company's earlier name "Martini, Sola e C.", which was replaced by Martini & Rossi after the Sola family sold their share in 1879 — suggesting the bottle dates from around this period of transition, rather than from later production.

The front label is richly illustrated with a winged figure, flags from several nations and a wreath of medals inscribed "Premiati con 40 Medaglie", referencing the many exhibition awards the house won in the decades around 1870-1900 in cities such as Philadelphia and Alexandria. The neck label carries a handwritten-style seal typical of the era, and the bottle itself is made of dark, heavy glass — standard for vermouth production at the time, meant to shield the contents from light during long storage and transport.

Vermouth like this was originally created as a blend of wine fortified with sugar, alcohol and a secret mix of herbs and spices, including wormwood, which still forms the core of the recipe today. How old the liquid inside this particular bottle is, and whether the seal is intact or the fill level has dropped over time, cannot be established from the photographs alone.

Specifications

Producer: Martini & Rossi
Earlier company name on label: Martini, Sola e C.
Origin: Torino, Italy
Type: Vino Vermouth
Estimated era: Late 1800s to early 1900s
Serving suggestion: Vermouth of this style was classically served on the rocks with a twist of lemon peel, or used as a base in cocktails such as the Negroni and the Americano

Did You Know?

The word vermouth comes from the German "Wermut", meaning wormwood — the bitter herb that originally gave the drink its distinctive character and still features in Martini's secret recipe today.

Please note: This bottle is sold as a collector's item. The quality of the contents cannot be guaranteed, and the bottle may show scratches and marks – see the photo.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Martini Rosso Vermouth Antique Collector's Bottle

How old is the bottle?

The label references the company name "Martini, Sola e C.", which was replaced by Martini & Rossi in 1879, suggesting the bottle was produced around this period of transition. Precise dating would require expert assessment of the glass, capsule and print method.

Can the contents still be consumed?

This isn't recommended. Vermouth is a wine-based product, and even a sealed bottle of this age has likely oxidised or changed character significantly over the decades. Today the bottle's value lies primarily in its collectability.

What makes this bottle a collector's item?

The combination of the historic company name, the handwritten-style seal on the neck and the detailed medal illustration on the front label make it a piece of visual advertising history from Martini & Rossi's early years.

How should the bottle be stored?

Upright, cool and dark, away from temperature swings. Upright storage prevents any remaining cork from drying out and protects the label from moisture damage that can occur when a bottle is stored on its side.

What does "Premiati con 40 Medaglie" on the label mean?

It's Italian for "Awarded 40 medals", referring to the many prizes Martini & Rossi won at international exhibitions in the late 1800s, including in Philadelphia and Alexandria.

Would this bottle make a good gift?

It suits a collector of antique advertising or spirits history best, rather than casual gift-giving, since its value lies in the story and the label rather than in the contents.