Vermut El Bandarra 1 Liter

El Bandarra comes from the Virgili family at Martí Serdà in Catalonia, working from a centenary Penedès winery first established in 1878. The base wine is built on the local white grapes Macabeo and Xarel·lo, the same varieties behind much Catalan still and sparkling wine, grown on Mediterranean limestone soils. After fortification the wine is aromatised by maceration with wormwood, mountain herbs and spices, so their bitter and aromatic compounds pass into the blend, which is then sweetened. Two months in barrel adds slow oxidative development and a rounder, slightly nutty texture. The colour is mahogany with orange reflections. The nose is led by liquorice, with mountain herbs, spice and cinnamon behind. The palate is tasty and full, the dried herb and liquorice bitterness set against a caramelised sweetness and a long, spiced finish. Serve over ice with an orange slice as an aperitif, or at cool room temperature with food. It suits charcuterie, roast pork and hard, nutty cheese, and the sweet, spiced character also works with caramel desserts.