Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Headline Heroes: Vermouth holds it all together

Published: 18 November, 2024

David Kermode looks at the origins of vermouth and discovers a diverse cocktail ingredient as well as a strong standalone player.

From its origins as a medicinal tincture for bilious conditions to bartender favourite, vermouth has come a long way. Aromatic, beguilingly bittersweet and fascinating in its complexity, it is delicious on its own, poured over ice, but it is more widely celebrated for a form of liquid alchemy, bringing together the different components of a cocktail to ensure the completed serve is greater than the sum of its parts.

Kopke releases trio of rare bottlings

Published: 11 March, 2024

Kopke, the world’s oldest port house, has launched The Library Collection, an exclusive library of some of the rarest wines in the world.

Martini on track to become certified sustainable

Published: 19 July, 2021

Martini has announced that all its Asti grape suppliers are on track to becoming certified sustainable in 2021.

Belsazar Vermouth launches Summer Spritz campaign

Published: 10 June, 2019

Belsazar Vermouth has launched a new range of "summer serves" to take advantage of consumer demand for lower abv drinks and spritzers when the sun comes out.

Vermouth and Japanese whisky among top serves in high-end London bars

Published: 09 April, 2019

Vermouth and Japanese whisky are among the most fashionable drinks in London’s top high-end bars, according to the latest CGA and DrinkUp.London's 2018 Influencers Report.

France versus Italy: why the French are winning the aperitif game

Published: 01 March, 2019

This year marks 100 years since the birth of the new king of the cocktail world. Named after a thirsty Count who requested gin rather than soda water to be added to his favourite tipple, the negroni has played the long game, delighting drinkers with simple balance of Campari, sweet Italian vermouth, and of course, the juniper-based spirit. Today, it is number one cocktail served with gin – even more popular than the martini.