Antonio Benedetto Carpano
Encyclopedia
Antonio Benedetto Carpano (1764, Bioglio (Biella) - 1815, Turin) was an Italian distiller, famous for having invented Vermouth
and consequently the apéritif
.
In 1786, Antonio Benedetto Carpano invented modern Vermouth in Turin, made from white wine added to an infusion of herbs and spices, in more than 30 varieties. It was sweetened with spirit, which he believed would be a more suitable beverage for ladies than the local red wines. Vermouth proved so popular that soon his shop was open 24 hours a day.
Since then this distinctive drink has been exported throughout Europe and the world and is now produced by the Cinzano
, Martini & Rossi
, Campari
and Gancia
companies. The Carpano brand still exists, producing two distinct qualities of vermouth: the so-called "Original Torino Vermouth" that is produced according to the original recipe, and the "Punt e Mes
" quality, more aromatic and bitter.
Carpano was by all accounts a cultured man with a passion for the poetry of Goethe and reputedly named his new drink after the German word for wormwood, "Wermut".
Vermouth
Vermouth is a fortified wine flavored with various dry ingredients. The modern versions of the beverage were first produced around the late 18th and early 19th centuries in Italy and France...
and consequently the apéritif
Aperitif
Apéritifs and digestifs are alcoholic drinks that are normally served with meals.-Apéritifs:An apéritif is usually served before a meal to stimulate the appetite. This contrasts with digestifs, which are served after a meal for the purpose of aiding digestion...
.
In 1786, Antonio Benedetto Carpano invented modern Vermouth in Turin, made from white wine added to an infusion of herbs and spices, in more than 30 varieties. It was sweetened with spirit, which he believed would be a more suitable beverage for ladies than the local red wines. Vermouth proved so popular that soon his shop was open 24 hours a day.
Since then this distinctive drink has been exported throughout Europe and the world and is now produced by the Cinzano
Cinzano
Cinzano is an Italian brand of vermouth, a brand owned since 1999 by Gruppo Campari. It comes in four versions:*Cinzano Rosso, which is amber-coloured;*Cinzano Bianco, which is white and drier than Rosso, yet still considered a sweet vermouth;...
, Martini & Rossi
Martini & Rossi
Martini & Rossi is an Italian multinational alcoholic beverage company primarily associated with the Martini brand of vermouth and also with sparkling wine . It also produces the French vermouth, Noilly Prat.-History:...
, Campari
Campari
Campari is an alcoholic apéritif obtained from the infusion of herbs and fruit in alcohol and water. It is a bitters characterized by its dark red color....
and Gancia
Gancia
Gancia is an Italian wine-making company. It was founded in 1850 by Carlo Gancia in the Piemonte region of Italy, and was a pioneer in creating the first Italian sparkling wine...
companies. The Carpano brand still exists, producing two distinct qualities of vermouth: the so-called "Original Torino Vermouth" that is produced according to the original recipe, and the "Punt e Mes
Punt e Mes
Punt e Mes is an Italian vermouth. It is dark brown in color and has a bitter flavour. Punt e Mes literally means "point and a half" in Piedmontese. It has been said that it owes its name to a sudden raise of the stock market which greatly benefitted the Carpano distilleries, which then created...
" quality, more aromatic and bitter.
Carpano was by all accounts a cultured man with a passion for the poetry of Goethe and reputedly named his new drink after the German word for wormwood, "Wermut".