Oscar.697

Vermouth isn’t just a product, it’s a culture. Whether it’s home or professional craft bartenders seeking elevated ingredients for Martinis, Manhattans, Negronis, and other mixed drinks, or the consumption of vermouth on its own, Italian apertivo culture is in full bloom. Wine and spirits industry veteran Stefano Di Dio recognized Vermouth’s time to shine was here again sooner than most when he launched OSCAR.697 in 2013, after endlessly riffing on recipes until he landed on recipes that simultaneously honored tradition and broke the mold.

Both OSCAR.697 formulations qualify as “Vermouth Storico di Torino” under current IGP EU regulations: They are produced in Calamandrana, a tiny village in the Asti province of Piedmont, where many famous Turin vermouths originated. Nevertheless, the OSCAR.697 products do not carry the IGP designation on their labels—in large part because they take many liberties with tradition in search of new sensations. The Rosso is indeed a classic “sweet” vermouth, albeit one with considerably less residual sugar than most. Rhubarb root complements the traditional wormwood in the recipe to heighten the herbal notes. Licorice replaces the ubiquitous cinchona bark, to let OSCAR.697 dance with any high-proof spirit when mixed. Trebbiano di Romagna wine, with its more pronounced acidity and longevity relative to the sweet, soft Moscato, provides the vinous backbone. Only natural caramelized sugar is used to add color.

Then there’s OSCAR.697 Bianco. While this, too, is a “traditional” sweet expression in the Vermouth di Torino mold, it also takes liberties in search of its own singular, bitter/sweet voice: Bergamot takes a leadership role, in place of traditional citrus botanicals. Elderflower, too, plays a more critical role relative to classic formulations. And here, too, the residual sugar levels are dialed way back—not just for a more pleasurable sipping experience but more versatility in mixology. Di Dio, who spent many years in the wine business, believes “drier is better,” and we couldn’t agree more!

Sustainability is also a priority at OSCAR.697: Their bottles are made from 100% recycled glass and weigh just 450 grams, in an effort to reduce the brand’s carbon footprint in shipping. Cap stickers and carton boxes are also from 100% FSC Certified recycled material, and only water-based paints are used for the screen-printed labels. The screw caps are from 100% recycled aluminum.