Uruguay Upends Vermouth Culture

My Latest in Paste Magazine:

Uruguay’s Vermut Flores Upends Vermouth Culture

by L.M. Archer

Think vermouth is just a dusty after-dinner digestive? Think again!

According to a recent study, more and more young drinkers are embracing vermouth as a versatile, low-alcohol spirits alternative, particularly in party-loving Uruguay, home to one of the world’s longest Carnival seasons. Here, the vermouth bar Vermutaría Flores by Vermut Flores anchors capital city Montevideo’s hip, thriving vermut (the Uruguay term for vermouth) culture.

Founded by three friends—fourth-generation winemaker Juan Andrés Marichal at family-owned Marichal Winery, bartender Álvaro Aniano and media personality and writer Salvador Banchero—Vermutaría Flores serves up three different styles of Vermut Flores.

Tannat provides the foundation for their red and rosé vermouths, and Albariño is the primary grape used for the brand’s white vermouth. The eco-conscious vermut bar also employs a gravity-fed, proprietary bag-in-a-box pouring system that cuts down on bottle, cork and label use.

In this exclusive interview with Paste Magazine contributor L.M. Archer, Álvaro Aniano and Salvador Banchero (while winemaker Juan Andrés Marichal was busy in the cellar) took time to talk about their disruptive role in the international vermouth scene.

(This interview has been edited for length and clarity.)

LMA: What was the impetus behind founding Vermut Flores and establishing Vermutería Flores? 

Álvaro Aniano and Salvador Banchero: We all love vermouth itself. Since we established the company and launched our first product (Rosa Negra grappa and honey, the national spirit of Uruguay), we knew that our next goal was a vermouth.

LMA: In your professional opinions, as a mixologist and media personality respectively, what’s driving the growth of vermouth’s popularity in Uruguay and its resurgence internationally?

Álvaro Aniano and Salvador Banchero: Low-ABV drinks are a [growing] trend.

Also, the bitter and aperitif world is [also growing]. But on top of that, we believe vermouth has its own style and personality as well as being a very noble beverage because of its wine base instead of a high-proof spirit. You can really taste the difference between the different wine bases.  READ MORE HERE.

I’m delighted to share this exclusive interview in Paste Magazine about Uruguay’s vermouth culture with you here.

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