Sweet Wermut Press Release
Leopold Bros distillery in Denver and Matthiasson winery in Napa announce a collaborative Wermut project—an aromatized wine utilizing Matthiasson’s Napa Cabernet Sauvignon along with the Three Chamber pear and peach brandies from Leopold Bros.
As fellow James Beard Award finalists, Todd Leopold and Steve Matthiasson are counterparts across the wine and spirits industry, both stewards of history when it comes to production who are tireless in their experimentation. “We both look to the past in order to move forward,” Steve recently stated; “Our Napa Cabernet is structured like the wines of the 1960s were, and Todd’s distillates are reminiscent of the spirits made in America over a century ago. Working together was a natural fit and collaboration of like-minded intentions.”
“Steve’s dedication to the old ways of winemaking correlates perfectly with my penchant for old spirits geekery,” Todd Leopold added; “Our collaborative Wermut harkens back to the aromatized wines of centuries ago while adding in our own distinctive styles and philosophies.”
Wermut is the German word for wormwood, which was often used as an ingredient in the aromatized wines of the 16th century. The French pronunciation of vermouth is what many aromatized wines are called today. Wermut, however, refers specifically to those made with Grande Wormwood. The Leopold Bros x Matthiasson Wermut is possibly the most indulgent expression of wermut ever created. Starting with a base of Steve Matthiasson’s 100% organic, barrel-aged Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, Todd Leopold then blends in both California pear and Colorado peach brandies distilled on the historic Three Chamber Still—the first to be produced this way in over 100 years.
From there, the Grande Wormwood is infused, along with white pepper, vanilla, green mandarins, Rooibos tea, rose petal, chocolate, ginger root, and Belgian candi sugar. The resulting wermut is incredibly fragrant on the nose, running a full spectrum of fruit flavors and exotic spices. The texture is full-bodied and slightly tannic, showcasing the structure of the old school Napa Cabernet, while the fruit brandies meld their stone fruit characters into the wine’s red berry essences.
The Leopold Bros x Matthiasson Wermut will be released at the Leopold Bros distillery in Denver on April 4th to a special VIP tasting group, followed by a general release on April 5th. Wider distribution will shipped out shortly after. The MSRP for a bottle is $44.99.