What is the Difference Between French (Dry) Vermouth and Italian (Sweet) Vermouth?

The main difference between French (Dry) Vermouth and Italian (Sweet) Vermouth lies in their taste, color, and sugar content. Here are the key distinctions:

1. Taste: French Vermouth, also known as Dry Vermouth, has a pale color and a dry or extra-dry taste, which is more bitter than sweet. Italian Vermouth, also known as Sweet Vermouth, is slightly sweet and mildly bitter in taste, with a dark brown or reddish color.
2. Sugar Content: Italian Sweet Vermouth typically contains 10-14% sugar, while the sugar content in French Dry Vermouth is as low as 4%. Dry vermouths usually have a lower sugar content than sweet vermouths.
3. Color: French Dry Vermouth is generally pale-colored or off-white, while Italian Sweet Vermouth is dark amber or red. The more dry a vermouth is, the lighter its color.

Despite these differences, both French and Italian vermouths are made from white wine and can vary widely within style. They are fortified with herbs and spices, making them aromatized wines. Vermouth styles are determined by their sugar levels, with extra-dry, dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet, and sweet categories available. Classic brands such as Noilly Prat and Martini & Rossi make a range of styles, from dry to sweet.

Comparative Table: French (Dry) Vermouth vs Italian (Sweet) Vermouth

French (Dry) Vermouth and Italian (Sweet) Vermouth are both aromatized wines, but they have distinct differences in flavor, color, and sugar content. Here is a table comparing the two:

French (Dry) Vermouth is known for its pale coloring and dry or extra-dry style, which is more bitter than sweet in taste. It typically contains less than 50 grams of sugar per liter. Italian (Sweet) Vermouth, on the other hand, is slightly sweet and mildly bitter in taste and is dark brown or reddish in color. It typically contains 10-14% sugar.