On the eve of the Vermouth Show (Saturday 5 October), here is the first step towards the creation of an ad hoc structure and the recognition of protection.

In the land of a thousand bell towers, it was not easy to bring together the Tuscan vermouth producers under
the umbrella of a series of shared values. But it is with the aim of arriving at a disciplinary, prelude to its
time for the recognition of a denomination and a protection structure, a group of 12 local companies came together with the aim of preserving the quality and authenticity of the product made in Tuscany.

And so, a few days after First Vermouth Show – on stage at The Social Hub on Saturday 5th October – the first one is baptized “Ethical Charter” of Tuscan Vermouth. IThe project was born from the idea of Enrico Chioccioli Altadonna (Winestillery), Tommaso Pieri (Duit) and the journalist Federico Silvio Bellanca, and in a very short time it has found favour with different production realities in five provinces (Florence, Prato, Siena, Grosseto and Livorno) uborn from the desire to preserve the centuries-old local tradition of wine fortification, and – within the European regulation that already sets rules for production – to impose further restrictions on the definition of the term “Vermouth Toscano” on the label.

“In the world of gin we have seen how the rules can be circumvented with extreme ease,” he says.
Bellanca – for example by having the distillate produced in London or in some large industrial distillery
geographically located in another area of the peninsula, and then call it Tuscan. Even if at the level of
there is no illegality in the law, it is however misleading for the consumer and discourages the development of the
sector in favor of the simple Private Label, without therefore bringing value to the territory". The paper has the
form of an open letter that aims to involve other regional producers as well: the rules that the
producers have self-imposed are essentially two, that is, that production takes place within the
regional borders and that the base wine of the vermouth is produced in Tuscany. “It is funny that in a
historical moment in which we are talking about vine uprooting due to overproduction – concludes Bellanca – let's not open
a debate on how the wine of our region can be valorized in an alternative way, for example through fortified products like these”
It is no secret that this first step would like to lead to a separate category in the future, perhaps
also protected at an institutional level with an IGT, and on this front a discussion will soon open with the
institutions. “We would like to work in this direction, perhaps rediscovering the historical differences from Piedmont, such as the use of red wines instead of caramelized whites. But now it is early for this type of reasoning, we are very satisfied with the charter of values that we have given ourselves”. Here are the five points that the companies have signed:

THE ETHICAL CHARTER OF TUSCAN VERMOUTH IN FIVE VALUES

We producers, distillers, processors, industry experts, distributors, consumers, users,
we intend to think, design, produce, demand, use a VERMOUTH that is TUSCAN because:

1). Made using entirely wines produced in compliance with the Typical Geographical Indication “Toscano”

2) Produced and bottled exclusively in Tuscany

3) Respectful of the grapes, wines and traditional methods of the place of production

4) Natural both in the production methods and in the choice of raw materials

5) Faithful to the origins of Vermouth historically produced in Tuscany

The signatory companies today are:

Wine Stillery (Gaiole in Chianti)

Duit (Florence)

Nannoni Grappe (Civitella Paganico)

Electric Distillery (Livorno)

Nunquam Factory (Prato)

Fermenthinks (Florence)

Vermouth of Mugello (Barberino of Mugello)

Senensis Spirits (Castellina in Chianti)

Mr. Liquor (Lucca)

Lenzini Estate (Capannori)

The Forest (Orbetello)

Beach Games (Lawn)

Also supporting the project are some important national distributions such as Fine Spirit or Spirits e colori that have already committed to using the name “vermouth toscano” only for products that meet the requirements, and that at the same time will try to favor, under equal conditions, those who work in an ethical, sustainable and territorial manner.
There “Ethical Charter” of Tuscan vermouth arrives a few days after the Vermouth Show which – with sponsored by the Municipality of Florence, Chamber of Commerce, Confcommercio and Confesercenti – Saturday 5th October will see the Tuscan capital transform into an authentic taste laboratory dedicated to the most famous fortified wine
born in the Piedmont capital back in 1786.

The appointment is in the spaces of The Social Hub, in viale Spartaco Lavagnini, where it will be possible – with free entry and a token purchase system for the
tastings – taste all the vermouths on offer, both neat and mixed, and take part in thematic meetings and interactive mixing and tasting workshops, with famous bartenders and chefs
international. The talks range from the history of vermouth to pairings with signature cuisine, from historic cafés
Florentines with the common thread that unites Negroni and vermouth.