The vermouth encyclopedia

Vermutpedia

Rojo

Vilassar de Mar

Red · Medium-sweet

Espinaler Vermut Rojo

Espinaler

Vilassar de Mar , España

6.6 /10

Vermutpedia Score: 6.6/10

How we calculate the Vermutpedia Score →

Overall impression

Espinaler Vermut Rojo — sold as Negro in the official shop — is the legendary product of the Vilassar de Mar tavern since the late nineteenth century and the classic red of the Espinaler range alongside Blanco, Rosé, Rojo Reserva, Vintage and Reserva Especial 125 Aniversario. According to documented house tradition and range sheets, it is made with a secret recipe on a high-quality white wine base macerated with more than twenty-five aromatic herbs: wormwood, coriander, Cretan dittany, cardamom, gentian, quinine and reserved botanicals that define the Mediterranean Espinaler profile. Ruby colour with terracotta hints; 15% vol., 75 cl, origin Spain-Catalonia. Espinaler, a brand with more than 130 years in Vilassar de Mar (Barcelona), produces more than 450,000 units of vermouth a year — espinaler.com. Also available in Vintage format — same formula, retro bottle — and in one-litre tavern taps. For Vermutpedia, it represents Catalan red vermouth par excellence: sweetness on entry, balanced bitter aftertaste and reserved botanicals that distinguish it from generic industrial vermouths. It is the young reference red before stepping up to Reserva aged twelve months in old oak.

Nose and palate

The range sheet describes ruby with terracotta hints that anticipates a classic Mediterranean red vermouth. On the nose, oregano, mint and caramel emerge — typical botanicals of the reserved formula of more than twenty-five herbs on a white wine base. Caramel sweetness appears integrated, without excess, while herbs bring herbal freshness and light bitterness from wormwood, gentian and quinine. Maceration includes coriander, Cretan dittany and cardamom, adding spiced depth and Mediterranean balsamic hints. On the palate the entry is sweet and round, with balanced bitter aftertaste that closes the sip cleanly; silky texture and moderate persistence. 15% vol. keeps lightness for tavern aperitif. Without barrel passage — unlike Rojo Reserva — the profile is direct, herbal and drinkable. Compared with aged reds, it bets on immediacy and Spanish vermouth tradition. Oregano and mint notes recall Catalan maceration; caramel brings colour and semisweet sweetness. A vermouth for those who value the classic Espinaler recipe in its most accessible contemporary expression.

How to serve it

Espinaler Rojo is designed for tavern aperitif Madrid-style: with ice, orange slice and olive, no soda — a format that dialogues with Spanish vermouth tradition and the Vilassar brand's gourmet philosophy. Serve very cold, 6–8 °C, in a balloon glass or low tumbler; orange enhances citrus and olive balances semisweet sweetness. Pairs with Espinaler preserves, charcuterie, cheeses and tavern croquettes — coherent with the house's 350+ aperitif products. Also works from a one-litre tap in bars wanting the classic red on draft. In cocktails it can be used in Negroni or Americano when seeking a semisweet Mediterranean profile without barrel notes. The 75 cl format is standard for home use; Vintage offers the same recipe in a retro bottle for collectors. Can also be served in a small glass without ice to appreciate botanicals in a gastronomic context. No slow tasting required: it is conversation, terrace and neighbourhood bar vermouth. For Vermutpedia, it belongs on essential Catalan vermouth selections alongside Blanco and Rosé.

Production context

Espinaler makes Vermut Rojo in Vilassar de Mar (Barcelona), within the legal denomination Vermut, origin Spain-Catalonia. Secret recipe on a high-quality white wine base macerated with more than twenty-five aromatic herbs — wormwood, coriander, Cretan dittany, cardamom, gentian, quinine and reserved botanicals; no barrel ageing. 15% vol.; formats 75 cl, 50 cl and 1 L tavern tap. Also in Vintage format — same formula, retro bottle — and Rojo Reserva — twelve months in old oak. The Espinaler brand, historic in Catalan preserves and aperitif since 1896, sells the red at tienda.espinaler.com. Typical ingredients: white wine, sugar, botanical extracts, colourant and preservatives (sulphites). For Vermutpedia, Espinaler Rojo synthesises Catalan tavern vermouth: secret herbs, terracotta, balanced sweet-bitterness and verifiable Vilassar heritage at tienda.espinaler.com and espinaler.com.

Discover more

More from Espinaler

View all (6) →

More from Vilassar de Mar

Same type and style — Red · Medium-sweet

Country guide

The best Spanish vermouths

More than four hundred Spanish references tasted: the ranking orders the best bottles from each region by Vermutpedia Score, from Reus to the Basque Country.

View España ranking →