Vermouth Padró Blanco Reserva

Padró & Co. is a long established vermouth house in the Tarragona area of Catalonia, a region with its own deep vermut culture. This Blanco Reserva is a pale, aromatic white style, built on a white wine base and aromatised in the traditional way. Vermouth is made by macerating wormwood and a broad set of botanicals, herbs, flowers, roots and citrus peel, in wine and alcohol, so that their bitter and aromatic compounds are drawn out before the blend is sweetened and rested. The Reserva designation points to a longer ageing period, which softens the texture and knits the botanicals together. The colour is pale gold. The nose carries citrus peel, dried Mediterranean herbs and white flowers, with chamomile and a clean wormwood lift. The palate is fresh and balanced, the herbal bitterness held by the wine's acidity, finishing dry and aromatic. Serve well chilled over ice with a slice of lemon or a green olive as an aperitif. It also suits grilled white fish, fresh shellfish and a board of hard, nutty cheese.