As the trend for vermouth gathers pace in the UK, Love Drinks has augmented its extensive portfolio with the capture of the colourful El Bandarra Vermut brand from Barcelona.
El Bandarra is the brainchild of the Virgili brothers – the 6th generation from the Casa Berger Winery, which was set up in 1878 to the west of Barcelona.
For 57 years the family sold their much-loved, craft vermouth in bulk to small neighbourhood cellars before in 2014, the brothers decided to bottle it, brand it and launch it to the world.
Alex Virgili, El Bandarra Co-Founder, said:
“Vermouth is an attitude. Chilling out on a terrace and enjoying the good times. That’s El Bandarra style and it’s also the philosophy behind our vermouth. Served simply on the rocks like in Barcelona’s bustling tapas restaurants, it is beautifully refreshing, flavoursome and the perfect way of preparing the stomach for food, but it’s also the greatest social lubricant I’ve ever seen, so share it with your friends to start off a big night out! El Bandarra combines 57 years of vermouth-making experience with a clear focus to attract new consumers to this incredible drink through the coolest food markets, festivals, rooftops, bars and daylight parties using our vermouth trucks and our portable bars. We’ve even created El Bandarra Fountain: perfect for the craziest weddings.”
Vermouth (or Vermut as it is called in Barcelona) has taken Spain by storm in recent years. A brilliant blend of wine, herbs, fruit and botanicals, it is the perfect aperitivo and great for sharing.
Fusing heritage with craft production, the Virgili Brothers use their own locally grown and harvested grapes plus a selection of native botanicals to make El Bandarra, using the same recipe that their grandparents created in 1962.
The brothers aim was to pay homage to the nostalgic golden age of vermouth in the 50’s, whilst also showcasing the winery’s modern approach, vermouth’s versatility and the ‘good time’ positioning it has garnered among the young and old as ‘Barcelona’s Cocktail’.
The visually impressive bottles and branding reflect vermouth’s heritage in Barcelona where daily tapas was colourfully scrawled and promoted on the windows of bars and restaurants.
Love Drinks’ Founder Kirsty Loveday said:
“Vermouth is not just another cocktail ingredient in Spain but a drink that is celebrated daily in cafes, restaurants and vermuterias. Although still used by mixologists in countless Negroni’s and Martini’s around the world, interest has been growing around the drink’s ‘aperitif’’ appeal. The Spanish have been enthusiastic makers and drinkers of vermut since the mid-19th century with ‘La Hora del Vermut’ increasingly popular in Spanish cities. With stand-out packaging, fantastic support and bags of energy, we believe El Bandarra are perfectly placed and positioned to take vermouth to new levels in the UK.”
El Bandarra Red
Xarel·lo and Macabeo grapes are macerated with 50 herb extracts such as clove, cinnamon and bitter orange. After fortifying the wine, it is given a touch of caramel and balanced in Solera oak barrels for two months.
ABV: 15%
Tasting notes: “Mild and moreish, with hints of party hard.”
Formats: 1 litre swing top bottle, 50cl swing top bottle, 15 litre Bag in Box.
Serve: On the rocks with a slice of orange and an olive. This is ready to go or can be topped with soda/tonic.
El Bandarra White
White Grenache and Xarel.lo macerated with more than 40 herb extracts including vanilla, wormwood and clove. It is given a sweet touch with must nectar and then it is balanced in a tank for two months.
ABV: 15%
Tasting note: “Fresh, citric with a ‘don’t wait up for me’ aroma.”
Formats: 1 litre swing top bottle, 50cl swing top bottle, 15 litre Bag in Box.
Serve: On the rocks with a slice of lemon and an olive. This can be drank as is or topped up with soda/tonic.
About Love Drinks
Love Drinks is an independent import, distribution and marketing company for premium quality spirits, liqueurs and craft beers. Their portfolio represents quality, craft-distilled and family-owned brands that have a rich provenance, heritage and history.
Founded by Kirsty Loveday BEM in 2007, Love Drinks represent Abelha Organic Cachaça, The Bitter Truth Cocktail Range of Bitters and Liqueurs, Einstök Icelandic Craft Beers, El Dorado Demerara Rums, Four Pillars Gin, Gosling’s Bermuda Rums, Hernö Gins, Kamm & Sons, Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur and The Artisan Drinks Company.
For more information about Love Drinks click here
For more information about El Bandarra click here