What is vermouth, actually?

Vermouth is a fortified and flavored wine with an alcohol content between 14.5 and 21%. It is usually made from white grapes. The most famous brand is Martini, but please leave that one alone. There are a few guidelines that the vermouth maker must adhere to. At least three-quarters of the vermouth must consist of wine. Furthermore, wormwood is always added. You know, that stuff you also find in absinthe. There are hundreds of types of wormwood. Which one the vermouth maker uses, or how much, is up to him. Additionally, every vermouth has its own secret blend of botanicals. Commonly used herbs and plants include ginger, chamomile, vanilla, lavender, coriander seed, and cardamom.

Can you store vermouth for a long time?

Well, no. Vermouth is not a spirit. With an alcohol percentage between 14.5% and 21%, it sits somewhere between spirits and wine. Vermouth loses its flavor after opening. The advice is to finish the bottle as soon as possible and keep it for a maximum of two months. The higher the alcohol percentage, the longer you can keep it. It absolutely does not belong with the spirits on the piano, but in the refrigerator.