Vermouth is an aromatised fortified wine flavoured with botanicals, traditionally including wormwood alongside herbs, roots, spices, flowers and citrus.
Its wine base distinguishes vermouth from botanical spirits and liqueurs, bringing acidity and vinous character alongside sweetness, bitterness and aromatic complexity.
The collection ranges from Carpano Antica Formula, Martini Rosso, Bianco and Extra Dry to Noilly Prat, Greek Otto's Athens Vermouth, Australian Unico Zelo Yuzu Vermouth and sake-based interpretations from Oka Kura.
Sweet & Rosso Vermouth
Sweet or rosso vermouth typically combines a wine base with botanicals, sweetness and deeper spice character.
Carpano Antica Formula is a benchmark premium expression, while Martini Rosso represents one of the category's most established names.
Rosso vermouth is fundamental to cocktails including the Negroni, Manhattan and Americano, but quality examples can also be served chilled over ice.
Dry Vermouth
Dry vermouth is lighter in sweetness and typically places greater emphasis on herbal, floral and citrus character.
Noilly Prat Dry and Martini Extra Dry provide classic examples and are particularly associated with the Dry Martini.
The choice of vermouth can significantly change a Martini, making its freshness and botanical profile as important as the gin or vodka alongside it.
Bianco & Contemporary Vermouth
Bianco vermouth occupies a different space again, generally combining pale colour with greater sweetness and aromatic character than a classic dry style.
Beyond traditional European vermouth, contemporary producers are expanding the category through local ingredients and unconventional wine bases.
The range includes Otto's Athens Vermouth, Unico Zelo Yuzu Vermouth and Oka Kura Bermutto, demonstrating how regional botanicals and sake can reinterpret the broader vermouth tradition.
Storing Vermouth
Unlike distilled spirits, vermouth remains fundamentally wine-based.
Once opened, it should be refrigerated and tightly sealed to slow oxidation and preserve its freshness, aroma and flavour.
This is particularly important for dry vermouth, where loss of freshness can quickly become noticeable in a Martini or other spirit-forward cocktail.
Choosing Vermouth
For a Negroni or Manhattan, begin with a sweet or rosso vermouth such as Carpano Antica Formula or Martini Rosso.
For a Dry Martini, look towards Noilly Prat or Martini Extra Dry.
Bianco and contemporary vermouths provide another direction for drinking chilled, with soda or in lower-alcohol aperitivo serves.
Shop Vermouth & Fortified Aperitifs at Kent Street Cellars
Explore sweet, dry and bianco vermouth alongside contemporary fortified aperitifs from Carpano, Martini, Noilly Prat, Otto's, Unico Zelo and more.
Delivery is available Australia-wide, with same-day delivery also available across eligible Sydney metropolitan areas.
