Vermouth: wine with herbs, bitterness, and a dash of alcohol

Vermouth is an aromatized wine that derives its character from wormwood and other herbs, flowers, roots, and spices. Alcohol is usually added to reach 14.5 to 22% vol, and sugar rounds out the bitterness. The word "Vermouth" originates from the German "Wermut," the name of the plant Artemisia absinthium, which gives the drink its typical tart note.

What the EU understands by Vermouth

The rules for vermouth are set out in Regulation (EU) No 251/2014 on aromatized wine products. According to this, the finished beverage must consist of at least 75% wine, its aroma must come from Artemisia species, and the actual alcohol content must be between 14.5 and 22% vol. This refers to wine made from grapes. Vermouth is therefore a wine product and not a spirit, even if it is usually found on the shelf next to gin and bitters.

Red, white, and rosé vermouth

Vermouth comes in several colors, and each has its own style. Red vermouth is spicy and usually somewhat sweeter, with notes of dark berries, spices, and bitter herbs – the classic partner in a Negroni. White vermouth appears more floral and fresh; it pairs well with tonic and a lemon twist. Rosé vermouth lies somewhere in between and often brings red fruit notes. In addition, there are dry varieties for martinis, which we do not currently stock.

Apple vermouth wine: a relative from the Alb

A special case is the !WEHMUT Apple Vermouth Wine from Jörg Geiger. Its base is apple wine instead of grape wine, and at 13% vol, it falls below the minimum vermouth threshold. Legally, it is therefore not a vermouth, but with real wormwood, eleven spices, and flowers, it tastes bittersweet like a close relative.

Our vermouth producers

Most bottles come from Helmut Wermut in Hamburg. HELMUT is produced in the Palatinate region from 75% Palatinate wine and 25% handmade extracts from 25 ingredients. HELMUT der Rote is based on a robust Dornfelder and brings blackberry, laurel, and rosemary, tart and berry-like at 17% vol. HELMUT der Weiße is created from Riesling and Müller-Thurgau with orange blossom, lavender, and meadow herbs, floral with few bitter notes. HELMUT der Rosé relies on Pinot Noir, red bell pepper, physalis, goji berries, and figs, and tastes savory-fruity and semi-dry.

Our top seller is the Helmut 3-pack mini tasting box with all three varieties in 50 ml bottles – for comparison and as a small gift.

From the Black Forest comes apros. For the White Vermouth, apros uses Pinot Gris from the Freiherr von Gleichenstein winery in Kaiserstuhl and aromatizes it with bergamot, lemon peel, chamomile, and spignel – powerful and fresh with a fine bitter note, 18% vol. The Manufaktur Jörg Geiger from Schlat on the Swabian Alb spontaneously ferments its apple wine in whiskey barrels and brings it to strength with barrel-aged apple and grape brandy.

Serving vermouth: aperitif, spritz, and Negroni

Straight on ice with an orange slice, red vermouth is a classic aperitif before a meal. Pour white vermouth over tonic water and add a lemon twist; the rosé goes well with tonic and a strip of red bell pepper. In a Negroni, vermouth shares the glass in equal parts with gin and bitters; the rosé makes for a Rosé Negroni. Serve the apple vermouth wine at 14 to 16 °C neat or on ice. It pairs well with olives, salted almonds, breadsticks, and a piece of tangy cheese. In the kitchen, use a dash of white vermouth to deglaze risotto or a light fish sauce.

Buying and storing vermouth

• Wine base: The label often states which grape varieties the vermouth is made from – they shape the basic character.
• Style: Red for Negroni and aperitif, white for tonic and spritz, rosé for fruity long drinks.
• Getting to know it: The tasting box shows you all three HELMUT varieties side by side.
• After opening: Vermouth is a wine product. Seal the bottle well, store it in the refrigerator, and consume it within a few weeks; that way, the fruit and herbs remain fresh.
• Unopened: store upright, cool, and dark.

More in the spirits aisle

At our shop, vermouth belongs to the Spirits category. You can find the gin for your Negroni under Gin, and the eight-year-aged rum, which HELMUT lets mature in its own vermouth barrel, under Rum.

Order vermouth online

Whether it's a tasting box, red vermouth for a Negroni, or white vermouth for the summer: order vermouth online at Leni & Hans, and your package will be with you in 1–3 days. We only sell vermouth to persons aged 16 and over, and rum and other spirits to those 18 and over.