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Botella de Pio Cesare Vermouth di Torino
Blanco

Alba

Foto: Marcuscalabresus — CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

White · Artisan · Medium-sweet

Pio Cesare Vermouth di Torino

Pio Cesare

Alba , Italia

Overall impression

Vermutpedia is re-evaluating the Italian catalogue; the Vermutpedia Score for this entry remains pending until the new tasting round is complete. Pio Cesare's Vermouth di Torino belongs to the «Revival» line: a minimal-quantity reissue of the recipe the family made before abandoning vermouth in the 1950s, when the market demanded a more international profile. In 2016, fifth generation in Alba since 1881, they resumed production inspired by the formula guarded by Rosy Pio, third generation. The result is an «old fashioned» Piedmontese aperitif, more classic than commercial.

Nose and palate

Golden amber colour (caramel at the end of the process). Herbaceous nose with orange peel and Mediterranean spices; the base of Pio Cesare whites — Chardonnay and Moscato — brings freshness and elegance without dominating the botanicals. On the palate it is sweet but fresh, with lemon on the finish and a distinctly Piedmontese character the house recommends serving with only a scorza di limone, at cellar temperature.

How to serve it

Classic aperitif in traditional Piedmontese style: cold from the cellar, small glass and lemon peel. Also in classic cocktails where a white vermouth with personality replaces more neutral options.

Production context

Made with the winery's white wines (Chardonnay, among others), selected herbs, sugar, alcohol and caramel for amber tone. Maceration of about 40 days and four months' rest in stainless steel before bottling, according to Revival project documentation. 16% vol., very limited production. Shares the line with the house's Barolo Chinato.

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