Noilly Prat's excellent original dry vermouth from the south of France is based on a secret 1813 recipe. It uses a base of white wines aged separately for a year. 20 different herbs and spices sourced from all around the world are then added for 3 weeks' maceration, before the wine is settled for a further 6 weeks prior to bottling,
The careful selection of herbs and spices, such as Moroccan coriander, Tunisian bitter oranges and floral touches of chamomile and elderflower, create lots of layered complexity. Herbal aromas are underlaid with citrus zest and berries, whilst the dry palate shows pepper and lots of herbal notes such as pine resin, cedar and thyme. Try on its own served over ice with a twist of lemon, or with seafood dishes, antipasti or goats cheese.