From Barolo to Panzano, we got the chance to experience the landscape and see the towns that the 20th century forgot. Places with a just church, a cantina or two, a farmacia and that’s about it.
Travel
“It’s not an old-school product with 100 years of history, as it’s not a new world vermouth with an unusual compound in it, or an over-complicated structure. It’s my idea of a vermouth: traditional, talking about the core range, and modern, such as the Sakura and the Kopi.”
‘Aperitivo’ originates from the Latin word ‘Aperire’ meaning ‘to open your appetite’, and the word is evocative of Aperol, which was first introduced at the International Trade Fair of Padova, a lively and dynamic University town at the heart of Veneto
All the prep and hard work is done downstairs in the bespoke lab and kitchen. This is where they have a big ex-bourbon cask for ageing cocktails. At the time we were there a Brooklyn is in the barrel. Delicious.
In the bowels of the building is where you find the productions of everything from their brandy, Carpano, and of course, the Fernet Branca and Fernet Menthe. It’s a part of the building that is usually off limits for tours but it was so interesting to see the scale of the production
First stop on our Aperitivo Tour was Milan. It’s a city that gets a bit of a bad rap thanks to the smog and congestion but we loved it. There is a real aperitivo culture, stunning architecture and little alleyways dotted with cafes and trattorias are full of twinkling fairy lights and awnings.
After moving back to Australia from London in 2018, the dream for the pair was to open a bar. They just didn’t realise they would end up in Toowoomba for good.
While we’re stuck at home, it doesn’t hurt to dream of future travel plans. In this story you can visit seven of Edinburgh’s best pubs, according to Bartender magazine founder & publisher, David Spanton
Glenmorangie – fine single malt whisky from the banks of the Dornoch Firth
The Balvenie does things its own way, with a cooperage and malting house on site
The DNA of Glen Grant distillery, if you ask master distiller Dennis Malcolm, is tradition and innovation. Established in 1840 by brothers John and James Grant, the distillery and its grounds are without doubt the most spectacular we’ve seen.
It’s likely that Glenfiddich was the first ever single malt you tasted. The distillery began distilling on Christmas Day in 1887, adding The Balvenie distillery in 1892, and five generations later they’re still going