Most people have enjoyed a glass of sherry or vermouth before a meal, and are probably familiar with the term aperitif. Derived from the Latin aperire, which means “to open,” it refers to a pre-dinner drink that prepares you for the dinner to come —without getting tipsy in the bargain. These drinks are easy on the stomach and help stimulate the appetite.
At Rockville Centre Wine & Spirits, our knowledgeable wine merchants can guide you through the correct choices in aperitifs, to make that perfect addition for your elegant dinner party menu or for an intimate dinner for two.
No single type of drink is served solely as an aperitif, but most have a few key qualities in common, including a bitter or spiced flavor, and a dry taste. Bitter liqueurs are a good choice for pre-meal drinks, as are fortified or aromatized wines, like sherry and vermouth. An aperitif can also be as simple as a dry glass of wine or bubbly.
Enjoying a pre-meal aperitif is more a custom in Europe—particularly in Italy, where it’s known as an aperitivo. At the same time, trends like low-ABV (Low Alcohol By Volume) cocktails are becoming popular here in America.
Aperitifs hail from around the world, which explains why they vary so much in flavor and style. For example, there are Italian aperitivi such as Prosecco and bitter liqueurs like Campari, to vermouths like Cinzano; the French have their popular Kir, made with a measure of crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) topped up with white wine; and in Spain calvados are all the rage, a brandy made from apples and sometimes pears.
At Rockville Centre Wine & Spirits, we offer a wide selection of aperitifs to suit every palate and every occasion. Visit today and one of our knowledgeable staff members will be happy to introduce you to the exciting flavors from around the world.