Launched recently by Biggar and Leith, Hotel Starlino is a new brand offering vermouths and aperitivos made at the Vergnano family’s Torino Distillati in Piedmonte, North-East Italy.
“Torino is the birth-place of vermouth and we have been making it for around 100 years,” comments Beppe Ronco, Master Distiller and Winemaker at the distillery.
“We are seeing a huge resurgence of interest in vermouth and aperitivos and wanted to create something new, fresh and delicious to bring this forgotten but wonderful category back to life.”
Packaged beautifully in apothecary-style bottles, the drinks are finished with ceramic and wooden stoppers, reminiscent of antique doorknobs.
The front label resembles a vintage luggage label, and the back an old-fashioned “do not disturb” door hanger.
There are three drinks in the Hotel Starlino range: Rosé, Arancione and Rosso.
Starlino Rosé (pink vermouth) is a delightful and refreshing aperitivo made by blending rosé wine, spirit, pink grapefruit peel, orange peel and eight other botanicals.
Starlino Arancione (orange vermouth) capitalises on the trend of orange wines. Made from white wine and orange distillate, the mix is distilled with IGP-certified Sicilian blood oranges as well as seven other herbs and botanicals.
Both the Rosé and Arancione can be served with tonic or soda, or as a Spritz – three parts Starlino, two parts sparkling Moscato and one part sparkling water.
Rosso is a classic “Vermouth di Torino”, made from a blend of Italian white wine, Marsala wine and Sicilian Ansonica and Cataratto. This is then blended with a selection of botanicals, including wormwood, bitter orange and cloves.
Left to age in bourbon barrels for six months, the red vermouth develops a rich, spicy, vanilla flavour that works perfectly in Negronis and Manhattans, or simply with a splash of soda or on the rocks.
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