Vermouth was born in Turin in the late eighteenth century, when a local distiller infused sweet wine with herbs and spices and gave the Savoy court a drink that became fashionable across Europe. The city has never lost the habit. Every evening, in cafés and bars under the arcades, Turinese people gather for aperitivo, a ritual of vermouth or a spritz and a plate of small bites before dinner. A vermouth tasting is the best way to join in with some knowledge. A guide introduces the style, explains how the base wine is flavoured with wormwood and a secret list of botanicals, and shows how a good vermouth can be sweet, dry, bitter or aromatic, served on its own over ice, with a twist of citrus or in a cocktail. Along the way you taste several different bottlings, learn the history of the great vermouth houses and the café life of nineteenth-century Turin, and finish with food that turns the tasting into an early-evening meal. It is a relaxed, sociable introduction to a drink that most visitors have only known in a cocktail.
How it works
The experience is held in a bar, café or tasting room in the centre of Turin, at a set time that is usually late afternoon or early evening. A host leads the group through a flight of several vermouths, explaining the character of each and giving you time to compare them. Aperitivo food, such as snacks, small plates and cheeses, comes with the tasting. The group is small and the atmosphere is chatty, so it is easy to meet other travellers.
What you learn
Vermouth is a fortified, aromatised wine, and the Turin style is traditionally based on Piedmontese white wine with an infusion of herbs, spices and wormwood. You will hear how the drink spread from the royal court to the cafés of the city, why it became the signature of Turin, and how it later turned into the base of classic cocktails such as the Negroni and the Americano. Tasters often find that a good vermouth served simply, over ice with an orange slice, is a revelation compared with the supermarket version.
Why it works for most visitors
It is easy, it does not take much time, and it pairs well with a day of sightseeing. It suits a rainy afternoon, because it takes place indoors, and it suits an evening when you have no plans. For anyone who has already done the Egyptian Museum and the Royal Palace, it gives the city a different, more local flavour. It is also a gentle introduction to Piedmontese food and wine, and a good way to decide where to eat that night.
Making the most of it
Arrive a little hungry, since the food is a snack rather than a full dinner, and plan dinner afterwards at a later hour, as Turinese restaurants usually fill from eight o’clock. Mention allergies or dietary needs when you book. If you would like to learn more, combine the tasting with a visit to the Casa Martini museum at Pessione, where the story of vermouth continues in the cellars. Get tickets ahead on weekends and in the evening slots, which are the most popular.
What to expect
The experience
A guided tasting of several vermouths with a host, served with aperitivo snacks in a bar or tasting room in the centre.
Best time
Late afternoon or early evening, when aperitivo is a daily ritual in Turin.
How long
About an hour and a half to two hours.
Tips
Arrive a little hungry, mention dietary needs when you book and plan dinner for later in the evening.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Cocktail and wine lovers, couples and anyone who wants a local, indoor evening activity.
- Families
- Aimed at adults, as it is an alcohol tasting, so it suits grown-up travellers better than young families.
- Couples
- A relaxed start to a date night before dinner.
- Pair with
- A food walk earlier in the day, or the Casa Martini museum at Pessione on another day.
- Time needed
- About two hours.
Good questions
Why is vermouth associated with Turin?+
Vermouth was created in Turin in the late eighteenth century, and the city has been its capital ever since. The drink is flavoured with herbs, spices and wormwood.
Is the vermouth tasting a full dinner?+
No. The aperitivo food is a generous snack, so plan dinner afterwards.
Do I need to like strong drinks?+
Vermouth is a fortified wine, lighter than spirits, and styles range from sweet to dry and bitter. A host helps you find what you like.
What is aperitivo?+
It is the Italian early-evening ritual of a light drink and small bites before dinner. In Turin, vermouth is the classic choice.
Does the tasting suit a rainy day?+
Yes. It takes place indoors in the centre, so weather does not matter.
