Martini Rosso is the first and most historic vermouth of the Italian house of Martini, created in Piedmont in 1863. It combines white wines with aromatic herbs, caramel and Italian spices. It is 15% ABV. The colour is a deep amber-red from natural caramel. The nose is rich, with wormwood, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon and spice. The palate is full and velvety, with pleasant sweetness, herbal bitterness and warm spice. Serve chilled at 8–12 °C or over plenty of ice — warm, it reads as cloying. Neat, use a low old-fashioned glass with a slice of orange or grapefruit; in mixed drinks, take it with tonic, soda or orange juice, and it is essential to a Negroni and a Manhattan. At the table it suits Parmesan and Pecorino, blue cheeses, citrus and grapes, nuts, dark chocolate, prosciutto and jamón.