In the world of vermouth, World Vermouth Awards They are like the "Oscars." That is why to say that the one from the Alavesa winery Astobiza has received the award for best in the world in the category semi sweet 2021 in this ceremony is cause for celebration. “It has a lovely, bright, floral, sweet fruit from the garden scent, which turns wonderfully towards slightly drier with a nice bitterness from the herbs right at the end,” praised the jury. Because that's how he is Astobiza vermouth, a unique drink of its kind that not only differs and surprises by its explosion of flavors, but also by its ingredient: it is the world's first vermouth made with txakolí.
The Astobiza winery: tradition, family and passion
"Astobiza is unique for its grape, its preparation and its way of understanding life." This is how this is presented wine cellar familiar found in jandiola, a small municipality of oquendo (Alava). The vineyard -with PDO Txakoli de Álava, which guarantees the autochthony of the grape-, is cared for with the same care with which the wine is made. With a total of 10 hectares of farm, the values linked to sustainability and respect for the raw material that characterizes this company, the result is a product of the highest quality. Txakoli -White wine from Ondarrabi Zuri- grape above all, but also others like the one that concerns us in this article: the vermouth.
Vermouth Astobiza, what is special about it?
As said at the beginning, there is no vermouth equal to that of Astobiza; mainly because one of its ingredients is an innovation in the art of this drink. It is the first in the world to use the txakoli -which is harvested by hand and, obviously, from the estate's vineyard - for its production. Because in the end, that's what Astobiza aims to reflect not only with this product, but with its entire catalog: that tradition and the avant-garde can go hand in hand.
This creation is the fruit of a long investigation. It was as a result of various trips around the world that this curiosity for vermouth arises. And it was in 2018 when, finally, the step was taken. After hundreds of tests of maceration times, botanicals and citrus fruits in 12 different Damajuanas -glass or clay containers that serve to contain liquids-, the Astobiza vermouth.
The intention of this Basque winery is, undoubtedly, transport the consumer to the Ayala Valley -in Álava- through a botanical mix that have been collected in the same vineyards, Citrus from the area and grape must -as a substitute for sugar-. That, together with its natural, clean and bright color, make it an incomparable proposition.
The elaboration
"The controlled maceration of secret botanicals is divided into citrus, herbal and bitter", they explain from Astobiza. And once a white vermouth of the required quality, it is bottled. Another of the secrets of this product is that they reserve a part to later elaborate the red vermouth, creating a "play of infinite colors and flavors".
A vermouth loaded with personality
In the end, the Astobiza vermouth follows the line of the rest of the winery's products: it's different, authentic and seeks to surprise. It is drier than traditional, which "prepares the palate for lunch: it is a vermouth vermouth for aperitifs, very gastronomic, and even after dinner". The firm recommends consuming it "as is" -on the rocks, that is, with ice-, with an orange slice or with its skin.
On the nose it is fresh, delicate, and with citrus and apple notes. On the other hand, in the mouth it is where the true explosion of flavors arrives. Have the perfect balance between acidity and bitterness; Notes of orange, green lemon and grapefruit are perceived, in addition to botanicals. Thanks to these tasting notes, it pairs perfectly with all kinds of seafood -strays, cockles, barnacles- and fish. Although, in reality, it has that special personality that combines perfectly with starters, desserts and even in that after-dinner so typical of Spanish meals.
As you have seen, the Astobiza vermouth it's one in a million. It is not only the fact that it is made with txakoli which gives it added value, making it unique. It is that passion for making, for uniting tradition and the avant-garde of the family winery, that make this drink one of the most to be taken into account. With whom would you share this white vermouth?
