Cocchi Americano Aperitivo, Piedmont ($19.95) Buy Now: $16.60 special
“Cocchi Americano is easy to love: it’s a balanced blend of sweetness, bitterness and refreshing herbal notes. This is my favorite aperitif to enjoy chilled on its own or with seltzer and lime. Its base wine is Moscato di Asti, which imparts floral aromas. Its bittering agent is gentian and cinchona bark.” -Suzanne
Import note “Made to the same recipe since 1891, this extraordinary aperitif wine has long been a staple of Asti. On a base of estate-grown Moscato di Asti is infused a blend of herbs, fruit and spices, most notably cinchona, gentian and citrus, and laid down for a year before being released. In Piemonte it is served chilled with ice, a twist of orange peel and a splash of soda to bring out all its natural aroma and fragrances. Outside of Italy it is revered as one of last great blanc/bianco aperitif wines, essential to a wide range of classic mixed drinks.”