A Slovak non-vermouth
The story of a Slovak fortified wine on this World Vermouth Day.
On March 21st, people around the globe pay tribute to the rich history and versatility of the most popular fortified wine on World Vermouth Day. Vermouth has been with us since ancient times, evolving over the centuries into various tastes and styles. Originally conceived as a medicinal potion, it has become a beloved aperitif, digestif, and a key ingredient in the world of cocktails.
What is Vermouth?
Vermouth is a fortified wine that must contain the herb known as wormwood (Artemisia absinthium). According to European Union legislation, it must contain 75% wine and have an alcohol content ranging from 14.5% to 22% alc./vol.
A Brief History of Vermouth
Vermouth is one of those products with a history based on myth more than fact; we cannot exactly determine who or when it was created.
It is generally known that as early as 400 BC, the Greek physician Hippocrates macerated herbs in sweet wine. Perhaps the precursor to vermouth inspired him in creating the Hippocratic Oath. Hippocrates' wine was prescribed to those suffering from rheumatism, anemia, and other ailments.
From ancient Rome, there are documents that refer to recipes for wine infused with various herbs and spices. Due to their expanding military campaigns, the Romans were able to access a wide range of exotic ingredients and could thus experiment more. The poor quality of wine motivated them to add other ingredients to flavour it.
The turning point in the history of vermouth came in 1786. Antonio Benetto Carpano created the first commercial vermouth in his pharmacy in Turin, the capital of the Piedmont region. His steps were followed by other producers, leading up to 2021, when four professionals from Slovakia were inspired to fulfill their dream and establish their own brand - Balance Apéritif.
Local Vermouth?
The history of vermouth gave rise to the idea among a quartet of friends and longtime colleagues within the bar industry to create a unique product in the market. Balance Apéritif was created with the aim of producing a complex aperitif wine that could replace any vermouth, fortified wine, or herbal liqueur. Balance Apéritif meets all EU regulations for vermouth, but Slovak legislation states that vermouth must also contain a distillate, which in terms of flavor did not make sense. Thus, although a vermouth according to some definitions, it cannot be labelled as such in Slovakia.
Stanislav Harciník and Peter Marcina from the Mirror Bar at the Carlton Hotel brought the recipe and legendary heart, Miroslav Telehanič contributed his experience with product production, and Dominik Tapušík contributed creativity in the field of textual documents.
The goal of Balance, as the name suggests, is to offer everyone who uses the product a balance of flavors with an emphasis on elegance associated with nature. Balance stands on three pillars of taste, which are equally important and create a complex ingredient: fruity, herbal, and spicy. There are currently three varieties on the market: Balance White, Balance Red, and Balance Rosé.
Balance White (available here) has a slightly sweet aroma, with hints of sage and meadow flowers, but in taste it is slightly acidic with a delicate sour finish. Among the ingredients used are, for example, nutmeg and Voatsiperifery pepper from Madagascar, which is hand-picked in humid rain forests. It was awarded 2 stars by the world recognized Great Taste. It is perfect for preparing a non-traditional version of the Martini cocktail, or mixing with cider (recipes here).
Balance Red (available here) has a heavier citrus-sweet aroma, complemented by the taste of orange marmalade, dates, and apricots. An interesting ingredient is andaliman, also known as batak, which comes from the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Its aroma resembles grapefruit and tangerine leaves. It is ideal at room temperature as a pairing with cheese, or in drinks like a Manhattan or R.R. We even have a recipe for Cold Buttered Rum that includes Balance Red.
Balance Rosé (currently not available) is easily identifiable by its rich color and distinctive aroma of cherry blossoms and raspberry finish. It pairs well with sparkling wine or quality tonic, and its fruity blend includes dried cherry blossoms and raspberries.
The emphasis on locality and connection with the Mirror Bar is also reflected in the dark, pharmacy-style bottle from local Slovak glassworks. The label was designed by former Mirror Bar bartender Dávid Tlčimuka. The wine aperitif Balance has an innovative and modern style with elements of art-deco design.
With both local and exotic ingredients, Balance fortified wines are a universal product that makes every drink made with it exceptional. Despite being a relatively new product, it captures the “Zeitgeist" of classic recipes, making it flexible enough to meld well into a variety of drinks.
On this day, let's toast to the celebration of the vermouth category, for example, in combination with Balance Red and quality tonic on ice.
