Made to Rossi's original recipe developed in the 1860s, this recipe has been passed down through each of the company's Master Herbalists.
Several aromatic...
I guess it depends on where you live, but here in The Netherlands Dolin Rouge is as cheap as Martini Rosso, same is true for the dry version. So I would always recommend Dolin rather then Martini Vermouth
That's very strange, here in France, Dolin is near twice the price of Martini and unavailable in supermarket while it's a french product. I don't understand..
Maybe the stuff that makes it to the US is of inferior quality to what is sold in Europe, but I think Martini Rosso is absolutely awful. I don’t get any of the flavors described here. All I get is oxidized wine and sage, why so much sage… Cocchi Vermouth di Torino is my go-to.
Oh, I've learned something about vermouth since this post. I've got to Maidenii dry vermouth for dry vermouth and will never turn back to the cheaper varieties. So much more complexity. I'll have to try the Punt e Mes trick. I did have a bottle but substituted all the sweet vermouth in my negroni with it, and didn't love it. Perhaps it just needed that splash.
Just to respond to Paul Holdsworth's post, and yours.... In the last year I've had a lot of Negroni's in Rome, Bologna and Modena, and London at Crossroads Bar in Camden... The Italians in Bologna and Modena are using Antica Formula, which even for them was expensive. The Italian fella at Crossroads (Valentino) is saying only use Martini Rosso.
In a way, I think both are right depending on what YOU want. I think the Martini version is a classic flavour, but then this also depends on your gin now. Italians in Italy with Antica are using Tanqueray 43% or Beefeeater (and then adding Orange bitters (psychos)) and then Italians in the UK are using Martini with Gordon's or Sipsmith.
The flavour variations between Martini, Cocchi Storico, Antica, Cinzano and then the gins are so varied that maybe there is no right answer?
Better quality vermouths are great. But cheaper does not necessarily mean inferior. Martini Rosso does what it does with superb flavour and ripeness. I'm happy to use it, or a more expensive sweet vermouth. And I love the very different versions of the same cocktail recipe they make.