In Barbaresco, where Piedmont's vineyards give way to the dry ridges above Turin, wormwood, bark and spice are still blended to a recipe first written down in 1907. The man behind it was Arnaldo Strucchi, a precise-minded oenologist whose book on vermouth would go on to define an entire region's craft.
Expert's Description
Strucchi Vermouth Rosso is a Vermouth di Torino from Piedmont made from Italian white wine with an alcohol content of 16%.
The name honours Arnaldo Strucchi, who in 1907 published Il Vermouth di Torino – a technical work that became the foundation for what Vermouth di Torino is today, and which later underpinned the protected geographical indication the region was granted in 2017. The modern Strucchi range was created by Paolo Dalla Mora and is produced in Barbaresco on the same principles: a white wine base aromatised with wormwood, spices, herbs and bark. In the Rosso, cinnamon and clove bring the spice forward, orange peel adds freshness, while marjoram, savory and sage contribute green, herbal tones. China bark – the bitter bark of the cinchona tree – gives the drink its long, dry finish and makes it just as suited to sipping neat as to standing behind the bar.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Warm and spiced, with cinnamon and clove leading, followed by orange peel and a touch of dried herbs. Underneath it all sits a faint bitter note from the china bark.
Palate
The palate opens sweet and full-bodied, with the white wine base carrying the spice and herbs. Marjoram and sage bring a green counterpoint to the sweetness, while bitterness from china bark and wormwood slowly takes over.
Finish
The finish is long and dry, with a lingering bitterness that ties the spices together and leaves a clean, herbal aftertaste.
Serving & Food Pairing
Serve Strucchi Rosso well chilled, ideally at 10-14°C, over ice with a splash of soda and a twist of orange or lemon peel for a classic vermuttino. The vermouth also forms the backbone of a Negroni or a Manhattan, where its spice and bitterness hold the rest of the drink together. At the table, it pairs well with olives, charcuterie, salted nuts and firm cheeses.
Specifications
Name: Strucchi Vermouth Rosso
Producer: Strucchi
Region/Country: Piedmont, Italy
Appellation/Classification: Vermouth di Torino
Vintage: Non-vintage (NV)
ABV: 16%
Size: 75 CL
Serving Temperature: 10-14°C
Glass Type: Tumbler or cocktail glass
Flavour Profile
Spiced · Bitter · Herbal · Fruity · Creamy
Did You Know?
The label on Strucchi Rosso was drawn by Piedmontese illustrator Riccardo Guasco and depicts Mata Hari – the dancer and alleged spy whose life ended in front of a French firing squad in 1917. The other bottles in the range carry different icons from the same era, including Greta Garbo on the Bianco and Josephine Baker on the Dry, making the whole series a small Art Deco tribute to the great figures of the 20th century.
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