HELMUT der Rosé. Rosé vermouth based on Palatinate Pinot Noir – piquant, fruity, semi-dry, 18% ABV.

HELMUT der Rosé is a rosé vermouth from Helmut Wermut in Hamburg, produced in the Palatinate region. It combines a cuvée based on spicy Pinot Noir with handmade extracts from 25 ingredients, semi-dry, 18% ABV, 750 ml. Not a delicate floral vermouth, not a tart herbal red – the spicy, exotic variety.

The Rosé from Helmut Wermut is a vermouth, which means it is an aromatized wine. It consists of 75% Palatinate wine and 25% herbal and fruit extracts, which are macerated in alcohol and fortify the wine. Are you looking for an aperitif for a summer evening that offers more than just sweet and fizzy? Then the Rosé is the answer. Its creators describe it as somewhat exotic, as it contains red bell pepper in addition to fruits. Among the three HELMUT varieties, it has the highest alcohol content at 18% ABV.

Taste

The Rosé tastes of the spiciness of red bell pepper, complemented by fruity notes of physalis, goji berries, and sweet figs. Helmut Wermut summarizes it as follows: piquant fruit, spirited taste.

According to the producer, the macerate includes bell pepper flakes and physalis, and the base is a cuvée of spicy Pinot Noir from the Bergdolt-Reif & Nett winery. The bell pepper provides a harmonious spice, while physalis and fig counter it with fruit and sweetness. The producer describes it as semi-dry and lists wine, herbal extract, sugar, and sulfites as ingredients. This places it between the floral HELMUT der Weiße and the berry-tart red. Anyone expecting a dry vermouth will be surprised by the fruitiness.

Usage

The Rosé is an aperitif to be enjoyed neat, over ice, as a spritz, and in cocktails. To get to know it, the producer recommends it neat and without ice, or as a classic aperitif ice-cold with a thin lemon zest.

For the HELMUT Spritz Rosé, pour 5 cl of HELMUT der Rosé over ice and top with 5 to 10 cl of tonic water. Add a few strips of fresh bell pepper to the glass to pick up on the spice. The HELMUT Rosé Negroni is a recipe from the Hamburg bar scene. You will need 3 cl Rosé, 2 cl orange bitter aperitif, 3 cl gin, and 1 cl freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, stirred cold over ice, with a sprig of thyme. The recipe can be found in our HELMUT Rosé Negroni post. For the Dirty Pink Martinez, stir 6 cl Rosé with 3 cl gin over ice and strain into a chilled martini glass with a green olive.

Our tip: Store the opened bottle upright in the refrigerator. The Rosé will then be ready for a spritz at a moment's notice, and according to the manufacturer, it will keep for a year or longer this way.

Origin

The Rosé comes from Helmut Wermut in Hamburg, founded in late 2017 by Markus Weiß, who now runs the company with Olina Kladensky. The idea originated in Barcelona, where Markus Weiß first encountered vermouth culture.

The wine comes from the Bergdolt-Reif & Nett winery in Duttweiler, Palatinate; for the Rosé, it is a Pinot Noir-based cuvée. The 25 ingredients are prepared by hand and macerated in alcohol for at least five weeks. Afterwards, the tincture is combined with the wine in the Palatinate and bottled. The producer relies exclusively on real herbs and fruits; artificial additives are taboo. According to the producer, HELMUT is vegan.

For whom

The Rosé is the vermouth for the curious who like a touch of spice and exoticism in their aperitif. It pairs well with a summer barbecue, a tapas night, and as a gift for people who love rosé and are looking for something new.

For a comparison with the other varieties, the HELMUT 3-piece mini tasting box is ideal; you can find all bottles on our Helmut-Wermut page. The Rosé contains sulfites; sale is permitted to persons aged 18 and over. It is not suitable for those who find bell pepper in their glass strange – the spice is clearly perceptible.

Pinot Noir, bell pepper, and physalis – the rosé vermouth from Helmut Wermut for a spicy spritz and the Rosé Negroni.