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Calamandrana

White · Artisan · Dry

Oscar.697 Vermouth Extra Dry

Oscar.697

Calamandrana , 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. Oscar.697 Vermouth Extra Dry is the driest expression of Stefano Di Dio's contemporary triad, according to the official oscar697.com sheet: «The Contemporary Vermouth» made with amore in Italia. The recipe bets on wild fennel and rosehip to create a floral bouquet without an invasive sensation of dryness, and oak infusion — the range's most innovative ingredient — through maceration of wood pieces in hydroalcoholic solution for about three months, used as a normal ingredient. Trebbiano di Romagna base for its neutrality and stability. At 18% vol. and only 25 g/l sugar, the house defines it as among the driest vermouths on the market alongside Martini Extra Dry; without alcoholic fortification, it could be considered a traditional wine. Born for the classic Martini with gin or vodka. For Vermutpedia, it represents new-generation Piedmontese dry: floral, innovative and radically dry.

Nose and palate

The official website describes a floral bouquet of fennel and rosehip that avoids the aggressive dryness of conventional dry vermouths, with oak infusion bringing roundness and golden colour without increasing sweetness. On the nose, Mediterranean herbs, wild flowers, soft toasted wood and a clean, neutral Trebbiano background. On the palate, radically dry entry with only 25 g/l sugar — well below Bianco and Rosso from the same brand (140 g/l); round texture thanks to oak extract, without residual sweetness masking bitterness. Alcohol at 18% vol. is more present than in Bianco (16% vol.), coherent with serious cocktail dry. Bitter curve is clean, long and elegant; finish invites Martini or contemplative second sip. Compared with industrial dry vermouths, Oscar.697 Extra Dry offers more botanical innovation, more oak body and less sugar. For those seeking the most extreme dry on the contemporary map, this reference is obligatory.

How to serve it

Oscar.697 officially declares that Extra Dry was born to be the main aromatic ingredient of the Classic Martini Cocktail, with gin or vodka. In Dry Martini, it brings fennel and rosehip florality, oak roundness and radical dryness that leaves protagonism to the spirit. Also in Vodka Martini or variants with soft bitter, where the dry profile cuts the spirit's ABV and enhances the bouquet. The house offers a half-litre bottle for traditional bartenders and Atomizer edition for the new generation of mixologists. On its own, with large ice and lemon twist, it works as contemplative dry aperitif for advanced palates. At 4–6 °C, oak gold and floral bouquet express with clarity. Not sweet aperitif vermouth: its value lies in classic cocktailery and precision. For Vermutpedia, Extra Dry is drunk in Martini or very cold on its own; it is radically dry contemporary vermouth from Calamandrana.

Production context

Oscar.697 makes Extra Dry in Calamandrana (province of Asti) with Trebbiano di Romagna base, wild fennel, rosehip and innovative oak infusion (maceration ~3 months in hydroalcoholic solution). 18% vol., 25 g/l sugar — the most extreme dry in the range against 140 g/l of Bianco and Rosso. «Drier is better in mixology» philosophy that defines the entire brand. Complements Bianco (bergamot, elderflower) and Rosso (rhubarb, liquorice, natural caramel) in the contemporary triad. International distribution via Italian Spirits Co. 75 cl bottle (also half litre and Atomizer edition according to official website). For Vermutpedia, Extra Dry synthesises author's Piedmontese dry vermouth: Trebbiano, infused oak, 25 g/l and contemporary heritage verifiable at oscar697.com/vermouth-extradry.

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