Lo-Fi Sweet Vermouth. This California sweet vermouth is the perfect drink parallel to the modern California food culture, where everything is a bit fresher, lighter, fancier, and prettier.

This is a massive departure from the classic Italian sweet vermouth, typically red, bold, dark, and brooding. Red vermouths are actually made with white wine, and in this Californian interpretation hailing from the famed Napa Valley, the beauty of the crisp wine base really shines. If you really had to compare to other vermouths, I’d say it’s much closer to a “blanco vermouth” than a “red.”

It smells like a fresh I-Am-Health salad with chunks of pineapples, cucumbers, and fresh invigorating greens, accented by light notes of anise to keep things interesting. Upon tasting, there’s a bit more of the savory backbone attributed to the inclusion of California-made sherry. It tastes like a garden in a glass. If you drink this expecting a traditional red sweet vermouth, you’ll be sorely disappointed. But throw out any pre-conceived notions, and this garden-fresh creation may very well convert any vermouth-averse doubter into a believer of the power of aromatized wine!

It’s a beautiful product (not just talking about the label!) that really blew my mind the first time I tried it when I was new to vermouths. All those things you associate with California…sunshine, beaches, vineyards, healthy lifestyles, and delicious food…it’s all right here. Add a splash to liven up any cocktail!