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Alba

White · Medium-sweet

D.co Ulrich Vermouth Umberto Bianco Superiore

Distilleria Marolo

Alba , Italia

Re-evaluation pending

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Overall impression

Vermutpedia is re-evaluating the Italian catalogue; the Vermutpedia Score for this entry remains pending until the new tasting round is complete. Umberto Bianco Superiore is the white expression of the Ulrich range dedicated to Umberto I, made by Distilleria Marolo in Alba (Piedmont) as resurrection of botanist Domenico Ulrich's recipes (1854). According to marolo.com and Consorzio Vermouth di Torino documentation, built from 100% Cortese wine from Piedmont and Piedmontese artemisia, with local botanics and wood ageing that distinguishes the Superiore line from standard Ulrich. Lorenzo Marolo revived in 2016 the forgotten formulas of the historic Turinese herbalist, maintaining original vision adapted to the contemporary drinker. 18% vol., 750 ml; meets Vermouth di Torino Superiore. For Vermutpedia, it represents Piedmontese authorial bianco superiore: parallel to Rosso Superiore Umberto, more ample and complex than standard Bianco in the Ulrich collection (Extra Dry, Bianco, Rosso).

Nose and palate

Authorised international distribution sheets describe deep greenish-yellow or intense straw colour, with a nuanced nose of fresh citrus, artemisia, dried orange peel, vanilla, rose, berries and camphor. On the palate, long and complex with good bitterness: notes of orange, artemisia, clove, vanilla and elderflower; ample texture, long finish with integrated sweetness — 140 g/l sugar and 5 g/l acidity in Nordic sheets — and noble bitterness of Piedmontese artemisia. Cortese brings freshness and structure; wood ageing adds balsamic layers and depth versus Bianco Ulrich without declared ageing. Compared with commercial white vermouths, Umberto Bianco Superiore is meditation vermouth: higher strength (18% vol.), greater botanical complexity and Vermouth di Torino Superiore profile. Intense paglierino on the nose; enveloping palate with soft herbs, flowers and spices. A bianco for palates seeking Torino superiore with Ulrich-Marolo historic soul.

How to serve it

Marolo and distributors recommend Umberto Bianco Superiore very cold, alone or in author cocktails: White Negroni, Bamboo or white Martini when a superiore bianco with noble bitterness and ample body is sought. Serve between 6 and 8 °C, in a cocktail glass or small tumbler; a lemon slice or citrus zest enhances floral notes documented in the Ulrich range. Also on the rocks for paced aperitivo, coherent with Torinese tradition of white vermouth in liberty cafés. In mixology, it adds depth to drinks requiring semisweet white with 18% vol. and Piedmontese botany. Pairs with light appetisers, fish, salads and fresh cheeses. Not a quick-pour dry white: vermouth for tasting, with long finish and integrated bitterness. For Vermutpedia, it fits a premium Italian vermouth list alongside Rosso Superiore Umberto from the same historic line.

Production context

Distilleria Marolo makes Umberto Bianco Superiore in Alba (Piedmont): 100% Cortese wine; 100% Piedmontese artemisia and botanics per Vermouth di Torino regulations; wood ageing of tinctures in the Superiore line. 18% vol.; 750 ml format. D.co Ulrich range: Rosso, Rosso Superiore Umberto, Bianco, Bianco Superiore Umberto, Extra Dry. Marolo revived the recipes of Domenico Ulrich (1854), pioneer botanist awarded in 1885. Member of the Consorzio Vermouth di Torino; bitterness from local artemisia, no caramel in reds per house philosophy. For Vermutpedia, Umberto Bianco Superiore synthesises Piedmontese bianco superiore vermouth: Cortese, artemisia, wood and Ulrich-Marolo heritage documented at marolo.com and grappamarolo.it.

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