Routin Vermouth Rouge Original

Name: Routin Vermouth Rouge Original
Brand: Distillerie des Alpes
Rating: 8 (1 reviews)

Distillerie des Alpes

Chambéry , Francia

8.0 /10

Vermutpedia Score: 8.0/10

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Overall impression

Routin Original Rouge is the first recipe of Philibert Routin, formulated in Chambéry in 1883 and still the emblem of Distillerie des Alpes. More than 130 years later, the liqueur makers still follow the original formula: 24 plants and spices macerated in Savoie Jacquère wine and blended with Sauvignon blanc. It is authentic Chambéry vermouth — real maceration, no tinctures — with semisweet body yet agile character. The deep reddish amber anticipates a warm, generous profile without the heavy viscosity of industrial reds. Half the product ages six months in Tronçais oak and is cut 1:1 with unaged vermouth, a production detail that adds structure without sacrificing drinkability. For Vermutpedia, Original Rouge is the historic heart of the Routin triad: alpine apéritif with centenary liqueur-distillery heritage, distinct from Italian rossi and from the sweeter Blanc or drier Dry siblings.

Nose and palate

Deep reddish amber colour. Warm nose: fig, date, orange and cinnamon with a background of tobacco and quinine. On the palate, black cherry and spices evolving towards cola, vanilla and citrus notes; semisweet (~110 g/l) yet without the heavy viscosity of industrial vermouths. Fifty percent of the product ages six months in Tronçais oak and is cut one-to-one with unaged vermouth, bringing hazelnut, wood spice and length without oppressive density. Maceration up to four weeks in Jacquère (Vin de Savoie); sweetness from non-GMO beet sugar. Compared with Routin Blanc (very sweet, thyme-vanilla) or Dry (wormwood-juniper, cocktail tool), Original Rouge is the classic Chambéry red for aperitif and light cocktails. At 16.9% vol., it structures the glass while remaining approachable. For anyone seeking Savoyard red vermouth with real maceration and barrel nuance, Original Rouge offers a profile verifiable at distilleriedesalpes.com.

How to serve it

Light Manhattan, Negroni or apéritif with ice in Savoyard style. It works when you want a red with classic botanicals and less density than Carpano or Martini Rosso. Serve cold between 6 and 8 °C in a wide glass or low cup; ice opens fig, cinnamon and oak without cloying. In cocktails, it suits Milano-Torino, Americano and alpine Negroni where Chambéry character should show through gin and bitter. As a long drink with soda or light tonic, it offers a sweeter apéritif than Dry but less floral than Blanc. For Vermutpedia, Original Rouge is drunk cold and convivially — the Routin red for terrace and bar when historic Savoy vermouth is the point.

Production context

Maceration up to four weeks in Jacquère (Vin de Savoie); sweetness with non-GMO beet sugar. Alcohol is 16.9% vol., 75 cl. Made in Chambéry by Distillerie des Alpes since 1883. Original Rouge uses 24 botanicals; fifty percent ages six months in Tronçais oak ex-wine barrels before 1:1 blending with unaged vermouth. Gama Routin with Blanc (18 botanicals) and Dry (17 botanicals). Historic co-producer of Vermouth de Chambéry. For Vermutpedia, Original Rouge synthesises artisan Savoie red vermouth: real maceration, semisweet, barrel nuance, verifiable at distilleriedesalpes.com.