The season of gift-giving is over now – or is it? The
greatest gifts are not necessarily the tangible items we present each other
with at Christmas and birthdays, although these are of course wonderful.
Usually. The ‘wooden thing’ I was once given defied all explanation and led to
contemplation of the giver’s well-being. Gifts of love, affection, caring and
education are some of the real gifts. Priceless, beyond monetary value and often
at no pecuniary cost to the generous benefactor. Surprise is another gift, but
surprise can come with a sting in the tail. Winning the lottery is probably a
surprise; as far as I’m aware no one expects to win it on a given draw. However,
heart attacks can also come as a bit of a surprise too, although with slightly
more predictability than becoming a multi-millionaire than numbered balls being
randomly plucked from a ball-plucking machine. Sometimes.
Rambla 41 Vermouth was a very pleasant surprise
indeed. I’m not really one to drink Vermouth in its own right, although at
almost homeopathic levels of dilution in gin and served with an olive or 2
(never a twist!) I have been a regular acquaintance. This is no ordinary
Vermouth. Not French, not Italian, but Spanish. Not clear, but amber-russet and
cloudy. Unusual. I had no idea what to expect, although the notes on the bottle
certainly indicate a high level of confidence in the producer. As it turns out,
the bouquet is rich; panettone, Christmas pudding and the general zestiness of
dried mixed peels together with summer florals. Tasting is to open up another
door of surprise and wonder. Sweet orange and lemon to begin with followed by a
labyrinth -like complexity of herbs and acidity, following in a long, dry
finish. Served on ice, this is a surprise on every step of the journey and one
of the most luxurious, if opulent-tasting aperitifs I have yet to encounter.
By this amazing drink from Naked Wines
