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Chazalettes

Gorgeous Vermouth di Torino from the Winemakers Behind Bartender-favourite, Cocchi

Using the original, 140-year-old recipes of Clemente Chazalettes, the Bava family—winemakers behind bartender-favorite Cocchi—has resurrected one of Turin’s oldest, family-run Vermouth brands: Chazalettes & Co. Once one of the most significant names in Vermouth, Chazalettes’ comeback marks another watershed moment for the revitalised category.

In 1876, Clemente Chazalettes founded Cte. Chazalettes & Co. in the heart of Turin. His unique formulas for Vermouths, liqueurs, bitters and spirits soon won the company acclaim and awards across the world. At the height of their success, Chazalettes even received the equivalent of a Royal Warrant from the Turin House of Savoy. Today, a new generation of enthusiasts has prevailed upon Giovanni Chazalettes (great-grandson of Clemente) to resume production and bring these timeless recipes back to the world.

Not only do these drinks allow you to taste an archive of Italian liqueur tradition, the quality, based on the finest ingredients for Piemonte and far beyond, is second to none.

Crafted under the eye of Giovanni Chazalettes, and using the original recipes put down well over a century ago, Chazalettes & Co. relaunched with the three core categories of Vermouth di Torino. Each is named Vermouth della Regina, after Queen Margherita who, in 1907, granted Chazalettes the Royal Patent and the use of the House of Savoy coat of arms (della Regina translates as ‘of the Queen’). 

Using a top-quality Cortese base wine, the authentic Extra Dry Vermouth di Torino is based heavily on the original 1876 recipe. Francesca Bava notes that the Vermouth Extra Dry was central to the family’s decision to restart production, as the recipe is “…completely different to all other Vermouths on the market”. In short, your Martini needs this. While most Rossos are typically made with a base of white wine, before colourings are added, Chazalettes Vermouth Rosso uses the Bava family’s own Barbera as the base wine, along with a touch of Nebbiolo. The resulting Vermouth has a deeper colour and a firm chewiness to the texture than many modern examples. Lastly, the exquisite, aromatic and deceptively complex Vermouth Bianco uses Moscato as its base. Chazalettes ferment this wine to relative dryness, creating a slight bitterness which is instrumental in balancing the Vermouth’s sweetness.

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Chazalettes & Co. Vermouth de Torino Rosso (750ml)

Chazalettes & Co. Vermouth de Torino Rosso (750ml)

This gorgeous, red wine based Vermouth di Torino has been recreated according to the authentic recipe of Clemente Chazalettes, dating back to 1876. While most rossos are typically made with a base of white wine, before colourings such as caramel are added, the Chazalettes Vermouth Rosso uses the Bava family’s own Barbera as the base wine, with a touch of Nebbiolo. “You get a very different reaction between the red wine and the extracts,” says Roberto Bava, “The tannins [in the wine] react to the spices and bitterness and evolve in a different way over time.” The resulting Vermouth has a richer colour and a more solid chewiness to the flavour than modern examples. Alongside Piemonte wormwood, the resurrected 1876 recipe takes in Piedmontese herbs, marjoram and musk mallow alongside more far-flung botanicals in sandalwood, mace, galangal, clary sage, cinchona bark and coriander. Each botanical is individually prepared, with the maceration time ranging from a few days up to many weeks. The result is an intensely flavoured and sumptuously textured rosso – never overpowering – offering enticing notes of toasted tobacco, macerated orange and macerated cherry. It finishes with a balancing liquorice and rhubarb bitterness and a long, vinous close.

The result is an intensely flavoured and sumptuously textured rosso – never overpowering – offering enticing notes of toasted tobacco, macerated orange and macerated cherry. It finishes with a balancing liquorice and rhubarb bitterness and a long, vinous close.

“Burnt caramel, dark chocolate, wormwood, orange peel, worn leather, cinnamon, star anise and bay leaf on the nose, followed by sour cherries and bitterness from wormwood and gentian on the palate. Light-bodied with notes of burnt toffee, orange peel, rosemary, caramel sweetness in the background. A whisper of Chinese five-spice and a gentle chewiness.”
Imbibe.com
Chazalettes & Co. Vermouth de Torino Rosso (750ml)
Chazalettes & Co. Vermouth de Torino Extra Dry (750ml)

Chazalettes & Co. Vermouth de Torino Extra Dry (750ml)

This authentic Extra Dry Vermouth di Torino is produced according to the original recipe of the Chazalettes family, who in 1860 moved from Savoy to Turin and started the production of its Vermouths and spirits in 1876. It is based heavily on the original 1876 recipe and the modern reincarnation is made under the eye of Giovanni Chazelettes, the grandson of Chazalettes’ founder. Francesca Bava (who is spearheading the brand’s revival) says the Vermouth Extra Dry was central to the family’s decision to restart production, as the recipe is “completely different to all other Vermouths on the market”. Using a high-quality Cortese base the wine includes 20 different herb and spice extracts, including Piemonte alpine Artemisia Absintium, lemon balm, bergamot, juniper, cardamom, Winter Savory and bitter orange. Each botanical is individually prepared, with the maceration time ranging from a few days up to many weeks. At a lean 30 grams/litre of sugar (less than Noilly Prat and Dolin for example), Bava describes the Vermouth as tasting “like a super aromatised wine… We used a really good wine for the base, so you can almost treat it like a wine.” It opens with citrus peel freshness, which is beautifully balanced with the roundness of the Piedmontese alpine herbs, accompanied by hints of juniper and other spices. Your Martini NEEDS this.

At a lean 30 grams/litre of sugar (less than Noilly Prat and Dolin for example), Bava describes the Vermouth as tasting “like a super aromatised wine… We used a really good wine for the base, so you can almost treat it like a wine.” It opens with citrus peel freshness, which is beautifully balanced with the roundness of the Piedmontese alpine herbs, accompanied by hints of juniper and other spices. Your Martini NEEDS this.

“Particularly floral and aromatic on the nose, with notes of lemon balm, elderflower, dusty notebooks, apple blossom and grapefruit peel. The aromatics hit the dryness. On the palate it morphs into a more traditional dry Vermouth, with bay leaf and thyme, before a saline finish.”
Imbibe.com
Chazalettes & Co. Vermouth de Torino Extra Dry (750ml)

Chazalettes Extra-Dry Vermouth di Torino – Silver, World Vermouth Awards 2021

Country

Italy

Primary Region

Piedmont

Availability

National

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