Poli Distillerie

Gran Bassano

In Bassano there is preserved the rare first edition of Pharmacopea Taurinensis* dated 1736, where “Vinum Absinthites”, obtained with Artemisia Absinthium and other herbs infused in wine, is described for the first time. Towards the end of the 18th century, the wine infused with Wermut (Absinthium in German), gains popularity within the French court under the name “Vermouth”, later “Vermut” in Italian.

Vermouth’s recipe was enriched through time thanks to Venetian merchants importing fine spices from India, Indonesia and Africa, such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, rhubarb, myrrh, ginger, sandal wood and turmeric; later vanilla and quinine bark came from America.

Venice, being the spice trade capital, became therefore one of the biggest distribution centre of flavoured wine, produced in many cities within the Serenissima Republic, such as Bassano.

The historical bond between Bassano and Venice is represented by the clock located on the facade of Bassano’s city hall, created by Bartolomeo Ferracina, the same watchmaker who designed the clock mechanism of the “Mori” tower in Venice, the second most famous clock in the world, after “Big Ben”. 

Gran Bassano Rosso is a vermouth based on Merlot, red wine from French grape variety cultivated since the end of the 19th century in the DOC area of which the city of Bassano is part. Merlot is particularly appreciated for its pleasant fruity notes. The unique aromatic structure of Gran Bassano Rosso is the result of a masterly infusion of over twenty botanicals, among which stand out the holy thistle and the yarrow moscata, characteristic plants from Bassano area, as well as rhubarb, vanilla, pimento, ginger and liquorice. Excellent as an aperitif to enjoy on the rocks and in classic cocktails.