Amesmerizing mix of Trebbiano, Chardonnay, wormwood, dittany, marjoram, ginger, lemon, cardamom, tarragon, and lavender, the Vermouth Extra Secco from Bèrto smells and tastes like walking through a pine forest right by the ocean on a summer day. You’re going to bring your martini game to a whole ’nother level with this dry Piedmontese Vermouth.

—Tom Wolf

Founded in 1890, the distillery of Castelnuovo Don Bosco was purchased in 1906 by Carlo Quaglia, the great grandfather of the current distillery director. A succession of fathers passing the traditional knowledge of distillation and vermouth production to their sons, and each son adding their own vision brings us to present day. The ambition of the distillery is to preserve traditional liqueurs and vermouths of Piedmont. Brothers Alessandro and Gian Natale Fantino introduced us to Carlo Quaglia, who helps them make their Chinato. The Bèrto recipe dates back to the 1930s and was resurrected by the Italian chef Federico Ricatto. His vision was to create Piemontese Vermouth that could stand on its own as an aperitivo or digestivo.