9diDANTE (“Nove di Dante” or Nine di Dante) vermouths are made at the historic Dr. M. Montanaro Distillery, just five miles from the town of Barolo, the heart of Piedmontese winemaking in Italy. They are a craft operation with just seven full-time employees working in the region’s oldest grappa di Barolo distillery dating from 1885.

In its name, “Dante” refers to Dante Alighieri, author of La Divina Comedia (1320), a revolutionary work in its day.

Vermouth di Torino Superiore IGP guarantees that a minimum 50% of base wine comes from Piedmont, and stipulates a minimum alcohol content of 17% alcohol. At 9diDANTE, 100% of the base wine and at least a third of the herbs (including wormwood) are sourced from the surrounding DOC vineyards and hillsides at their home in Alba.

Their production is done in six steps: (1) Acquire the wine, (2) add spirit, (3) add selected herbs and spices individually macerated in alcohol, (4) let the vermouth rest for one and two months, (5) filter and (6) bottle.

9diDANTE Inferno Rosso Vermouth di Torino Superiore IGP ($32)

This Vermouth is produced from a 50/50 blend of Piedmont DOC Dolcetto (Dol-CHET-oh), a red wine grape, for structure and color, and Cortese (kort-tay-zay), a white wine grape, for a lively acidity. It has a 75% wine base.

This naturally red vermouth exhibits the sour cherry notes from Dolcetto, followed by notes of orange zest, forest fruits and cardamom.

INFERNO is bright ruby in color. On the nose it has notes of cherry from the Dolcetto followed by aromas of orange zest, vanilla and fruits of the forest. On the palate is has distinct cherry notes along with cardamom and basil, some sweetness and finishes with a slight tartness.

9diDANTE Purgatorio Extra Dry Vermouth di Torino Superiore IGP ($35)

This Vermouth is produced from 100% Piedmont DOC Arneis (ar-NAYZ), a white wine grape. It has a 84% wine base.

Pergatorio is pale yellow in color. On the nose it has very faint floral notes. On the palate is has characteristic pear and apricot notes of Arneis wines, citrus and herbal notes, with touches of sage, mint and thyme with a refreshing finish.

9diDANTE was developed to drink “da solo,” that is to say straight. Enjoy it lightly chilled, served neat or on the rocks with a twist of orange or lemon, as an aperitivo. It can also be used in a myriad of cocktails. Or, simply check out the 9diDANTE Cocktail Guide on their website.

These craft Vermouths are delicious and very affordably priced. That makes them a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wines of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Samples Provided by 9diDante