Gotha Spiriti Nobili 'Siderale' Drai Vermouth (36 proof)
Item Number: 22929
UPC: 8-051380990025
Country: Italy
Region: Emilia-Romagna
Estate Grown Wine: No
Grape(s): Zibibbo / Botanical Infusion
Type: Wine - Vermouth & Aromatized
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 6
Closure: T Top
Alc by Vol(%): 18
One of the defining differences between exceptional vermouth and lesser examples is the quality of the base wine. Since vermouth is, at its core, mostly wine, this foundation matters enormously. Drai begins with dry Zibibbo from Pantelleria—a Muscat variety prized for its natural aromatic intensity—providing depth and character even before botanicals are introduced.
The vermouth is further distinguished by the addition of purified seawater from the Adriatic, the body of water separating Albania and Italy. Founder Ergin Allko finds that the salinity and mineral content heighten perception on the palate, amplifying freshness and clarity across the flavor spectrum. A carefully curated blend of botanicals follows, including wormwood, fresh caper berries from Pantelleria, cucumber, lemon peel, Timut pepper, sage, bay leaf, and grapefruit peel, creating a profile that is dry, savory, and strikingly original.
As with all Gotha releases, the name carries both historical and contemporary meaning. Drai is an archaic, Italianized form of “dry,” reflecting the absence of the letter “y” in the traditional Italian alphabet. Siderale, meaning “of the stars,” was inspired by the reaction of label designer Riccardo, who found the vermouth unlike anything he had tasted before—almost extraterrestrial—prompting the now-iconic UFO on the label.
Production: Pure water, purified sea water, pure alcohol (derived from wheat), wine, and sugar are mixed together. To this base are added individual distillations of caper berries, cucumber, lemon peel, and Timut pepper. All of these distillations are made by macerating the ingredient in a solution of alcohol for 24 hours, then distilling the result to 60% alcohol by volume. Then infusions of wormwood, sage leaf, bay leaf and grapefruit peel are added, each infusion being carried out using a 50% alcohol solution for about 10 days. The resulting complete mixture is left to rest for 45 days, filtered, and bottled. This vermouth contains no caramel or other coloring.