Baldoria Amber Vermouth is a Orange Wine from the Baldoria Vermouth brand crafted in Italy.
Baldoria Amber Vermouth offers a captivating fusion of traditional winemaking techniques with a modern twist, resulting in a complex and aromatic orange wine that's both bold and refreshing. Interestingly, this wine is made using a blend of six different grape varieties, including the rare Ribolla Gialla, which was nearly extinct in the 1990s but has since been revived by passionate winemakers in Italy's Friuli region.
Cocktail enthusiasts should take note of Baldoria Amber Vermouth for its innovative approach to vermouth production. This unique aperitif blends traditional Italian vermouth with skin-contact orange wine, creating a complex and aromatic profile that adds depth and intrigue to classic cocktails like Negronis and Manhattans.
Baldoria Amber Vermouth shines when served chilled in a white wine glass, allowing its complex aromas and flavors to unfold. This versatile wine is perfect for sipping on warm summer evenings or pairing with Mediterranean dishes, grilled seafood, or aged cheeses, though it also lends itself beautifully to citrus-forward cocktails for those who enjoy a bit of mixology.
Nose: Fresh apricots and nectarines dominate, followed by hints of orange blossom and honeysuckle. A subtle earthy undertone reminiscent of wet stones adds complexity.
Palate: Dry and medium-bodied with vibrant acidity. Flavors of tangerine peel, dried herbs, and white peach come forward. A slight tannic grip provides structure, while notes of chamomile tea and raw almond emerge as it opens up.
Finish: Medium-long with lingering citrus zest and a pleasant mineral quality. A touch of salinity cleanses the palate, inviting another sip. Subtle oxidative notes of bruised apple appear at the very end, typical of orange wine styles.
Baldoria Amber Vermouth is crafted using a unique process where white wine grapes are fermented with their skins, seeds, and stems intact, much like red wine production. This extended skin contact imparts a distinctive orange hue and complex flavors to the wine, while also extracting additional tannins and phenolic compounds that contribute to its intriguing texture and depth.
I created the Baldoria Orange Negroni recommended in this product description. I used 1 ounce Baldoria Orange Wine Vermouth, 1 ounce, Baldoria Bitter Vermouth, and 1 ounce Bulldog London Dry Gin. I stirred this over a big block of ice, then expressed an orange peel over the cocktail. This produced a lighter, more herbal take on a Negroni than the traditional cocktail. This Negroni reminds me a bit of the White Negroni. It's possible that gentian is being used as the bittering agent in the bitter vermouth.
Having had orange wine before, those flavor notes came through. I should note that these aren't the flavors of the orange fruit, but of the somewhat astringent wine made with the skins of the grapes present. Trying both the bitter and orange wine vermouths on their own, I prefer the orange wine vermouth. It's a rounder, more balanced flavor with plenty of herbaceous notes to keep it interesting.
I added 0.5 ounce of CioCiaro Amaro to my Baldoria Orange Negroni and immediately preferred this variation. It needed a bit more backbone, as the bitter vermouth isn't as punchy nor as sweet as the Campari that it replaces. That little bit of CioCiaro made a big difference, and I would gladly craft this combination of ingredients again!
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