Martini Vibrante Aperitivo

No one else does it like the Italians. From the utterly gorgeous packaging to the elegant label, to the deep sensuous dark red colour and the long lingering bitter and citrus tastes, this hits every mark with all the style of a Roman youth in shades and an Armani suit on a Vespa.  The plain cardboard packaging ingeniously opens up to reveal an inside printed with a Rousseau-esque explosion of vivid leaves and flowers and a neat cardboard coffret holding the two bottles, which it is impossible not to see without smiling. It’s years since I’ve drunk the alcoholic version of Martini Rosso, so it’s hard to say how well this approximates but who cares when it’s so good by itself.  I’m getting hits of rosemary, orange and wormwood in a full-bodied mouthful, with a long, long lingering bitter finish.  The label is cagey as to ingredients, listing only ‘Natural flavourings’ and ‘Concentrates from fruit and vegetables’ so it’s anyone’s guess how they achieve the sheer deliciousness of this aperitif (what on earth the vegetable can be is exercising me considerably – maybe artichoke?). Because this is mimicking a vermouth rather than a spirit it’s not distilled but made from de-alcoholised wine. I’m imagining the gloriousness of a low-alcohol Negroni using this and Gordon’s 0%. This is something new in the low alcohol field and I hope many more will follow.  Campari – we’re looking at you.