November it has always been a month dedicated to slowness, a bit like the whole of autumn, which this year lingered at the entrance before painting the landscapes of the beautiful country. For Pascoli, November represented all the things destined to die, to no longer exist. During its short days the darkness becomes tangible, and the search for warm shades becomes inexorably a necessity.
In this suspended scenario, sleepy in many respects, I am many new spirits born to pamper the public of enthusiasts who seek, especially in the glass, intimacy and warmth to combat - or at least mitigate - this exhausting month, made up of expectations as well as revelations and new colors.
Here are the most interesting ones in our opinion.
Western Canon: The New Vermouth di Torino Superiore
Three products, three places in Turin that tell the best story of the Vermouth, bringing it into the contemporary. This is how we could summarize the new product that stands out for being Piedmontese to the core.
Made with 100% of wine produced on the territory (a higher percentage than the Vermouth di Torino Superiore specification requires) and with herbs grown and harvested locally. This is how the three variants of Vermouth were born, each dedicated to a different area of Turin:
Red Vermouth Western Canon made using a red wine, the Langhe DOC Dolcetto. The aromatic preparation contains three different types of Artemisia and to these are added Salvia Sclarea, Hyssopus Officinalis and Centaurea Benedicta, all of Piedmontese origin. The result is a vermouth that blends exotic flavours of roots, bark and cocoa beans with more familiar hints such as that of Piedmontese hazelnut. Theoctagon, reported on the label, is a tribute to the Turin square that hosts the Market of Palace Gate, crossroads and fusion of cultures.
The Vermouth Bianco Canone Occidentale It is produced with Piedmont DOC Cortese wine. Also in this case the aromatic preparation contains three different types of Artemisia, to which is added the special elaboration of an aromatic preparation of peppermint of Piedmontese origin and French lavender, which together create an extremely discreet and balanced finish. The symbol in this case is a square and is inspired by the Roman Quadrilateral and its ancient Herbs Square, where merchants once gathered, filling it with the scents and colours of spring in bloom.
The Vermouth Extra Dry Western Canon, also produced with wine Piedmont DOC Cortese, contains the classic aromas of Artemisia and Centaurea Benedicta, and features notes of chamomile and elderberry that give it an unusual floral profile. The inspiration for the symbol of this latest Vermouth, a triangle, is linked to the Valentino Park, the large green lung of the city of Turin with its Italian gardens.
Gin Tabar Pear from Emilia-Romagna IGP
The sweetness of the Emilia-Romagna PGI Pears, expertly combined with juniper berries, give life to the new Limited Edition Gin Tabar Casoni, the original from the Lower Modena area.
Made by Casoni, in collaboration with the Consortium for the Protection of the Emilia-Romagna PGI Pear, it is a distillate with a decisive and pleasant sip, and an elegant and delicate aromatic profile, capable of conquering the palate in an instant. Gin Tabar – from Tabarro, a men's cloth cloak typically used by farmers in the Po Valley- Emilia-Romagna PGI Pear is the result of a perfect balance between the aromatic and alcoholic components. The taste experience is dominated by the sweet hints of the Emilia-Romagna PGI pear in the variety Williams, and its delicately acidic aftertaste capable of releasing excellent freshness. The co-star in the tasting is juniper, which is mitigated by notes of bitter orange and rosemary, which first become pungent with cardamom and then delicate with chamomile. The perfect tasting is neat, or in combination with a neutral tonic.
The taste of Piedmontese tradition according to Elena Spirits.
In the heart of the Langa, passion, tradition and innovation come together in the project of Elena Pen And Luca Currado Vietti, already well-known producers of excellent wines with Cascina Penna Currado. With the aim of reviving and reinterpreting ancient traditions, Elena Spirits, company dedicated to the production of typical and high quality liqueurs and spirits:
Elena Gin – A gin made with local botanicals from the Piedmont Alps, hand-picked, without the addition of artificial flavors or extracts. The botanicals are distilled with alcohol only once, after which elderflower, chinotto, orange and cinnamon are infused into the gin. The result is a gin that expresses the wild and mountainous character of the Langa, designed for those who love strong and natural flavors.
Elena Vermouth di Torino Superiore Bianco – A vermouth in which the wine Timorasso Derthona 2021 It is blended with Piedmontese botanicals and herbs, following an ancient family recipe. The use of Timorasso gives it a distinctive freshness and elegance, with notes of sweet orange, thyme and vanilla, all wrapped in floral and spicy nuances.
Elena Vermouth of Turin Superior Red – A great challenge wanted by the Currado Vietti family in using a very fine wine, such as Barbaresco or Barolo (depending on the vintage), a part of Roero Arneis and a selection of botanicals and natural herbs from Piedmont, according to an ancient family recipe. The botanicals and spices, such as gentian, licorice and artemisia, blend with the red wine to create a unique sensory profile, vinous and tannic, with a long spicy persistence and a pleasantly sweet finish.
Elena Vermouth of Turin Red – This vermouth reflects the essence of the Italian aperitif. The cold extraction of spices for three weeks makes the aroma balanced and refined, with notes of chinotto, cinnamon and cloves. It is a versatile vermouth, perfect to enjoy alone, on the rocks, or as an ingredient in classic cocktails such as the Negroni and Manhattan.
Cointreau Citrus Series
After a decade-long quest to understand and master the wonders of citrus, Cointreau has finally revealed the fruit of his efforts: the Citrus Series, an exclusive collection of citrus spirits designed specifically for bartenders who want to enhance their craft.
Its first edition, the Corsican Pomelo distillate, is a testament to Cointreau’s mastery of citrus and an expression of Corsican heritage. This exclusive collaboration between a single harvest and a single orchard ensures the authentic expression of a unique and extraordinary terroir in every sip. Citrus boasts a lively and fresh bouquet with hints of citrus and spice, making it the perfect ingredient to add a touch of citrus to cocktails.
On the nose it is tempered by sweetness, while the taste is bright and juicy. The pale lemon liquid reveals an explosion of flavor, with a singular profile perfect for creating exceptional cocktails. The bottles, with a sober label and without additional packaging, allow the spirit to stand out as an exceptional and artisanal product. A true Limited Edition of only 3,000 bottles worldwide, to celebrate craftsmanship and terroir.
Now all you have to do is choose your new favorite autumn sip, enjoying this much-hated “slowness” that November gives us without asking for anything in return. After all, in the era of speed and racing against time to keep up the alienating pace that society imposes on us, this slowness could make us appreciate new shades of color, helping us to reclaim the time that we take away from ourselves.
