Anatomy of the Perfect Apéritif: The Vermouths of Vermut Flores

The Marichal family is internationally known for crafting some of Uruguay’s finest Tannat wines. Juan Andrés Marichal, a member of the family’s fourth generation, isn’t stopping there.

Juan Andrés and business partners Alvaro and Salvador also run Basta Spirit, the company behind one of Uruguay’s elite vermouth brands, Vermut Flores, which GVI Wines is proud to make available to U.S. consumers.

The trio brings a diversity of experience to the project. Juan Andrés is an experienced winemaker. Alvaro worked several years bartending in Europe, Central and South America for award-winning establishments. Salvador is a radio and television host as well as a published tech and philosophy writer. Their collective specialty, though, is creating products with a mesmerizing deliciousness.

Vermut Flores takes its name from the four key flowers involved in the botanicals recipe: rose, chamomile, hop and elderflower. Unlike French and Italian vermouth styles, which generally start with a blend of neutral white wines enriched with alcohol, Vermut Flores starts with fortified red and rosé Tannat wines from one of Uruguay’s best vineyards.

This unique and modern twist in the classic vermouth recipe was also the inspiration for Vermut Flores’s label design, a marriage of the old tradition of vermouth labeling with a fresh and sexy spirit.

The world is taking notice. Both vermouths were recently awarded gold and silver medals at the International Wine Challenge in London.

The full-bodied, sweet red and dry, crisp rosé are best enjoyed over ice with olives, a slice of lemon or orange, and a splash of tonic water.