Wine and aperitif: our recommendations

Aperitif is a social ritual and a moment of consumption that began in Italy and is characteristic of our country’s traditions. The history of aperitif begins in Turin at the end of the eighteenth century, when people would meet “at vermouth hour”, that is before dinner to sample a fortified wine able to stimulate appetite and socialisation. That drinking something alcoholic before dinner could stimulate digestion was already stated by Hippocrates, the Greek physician who in the fifth century BC prescribed a sweet white wine with wormwood and rue to his patients lacking appetite.

Today aperitif is enjoyed with a non-alcoholic or alcoholic drink, in which case it could be a cocktail or more frequently a glass of wine. Wine for aperitif must play the role – as the word from which it derives suggests – of “opening” the meal. Thus the best aperitif wines are light wines, stimulating, with a strength not too high so as not to weigh down the palate but rather to tickle the appetite. Aperitif wine is often accompanied by snacks and finger food, delicious, quick and colourful. Easy to share too, since the main role of aperitif remains social: to meet and toast together.

It depends on your tastes, but usually aperitif white wine is light and harmonious, often sparkling; whilst aperitif red wine is easy and nimble on the palate. Here are 5 wines from Cantine Leonardo da Vinci perfect for aperitif.

A Vermentino from the Leonardo da Vinci collection, produced in Tuscany with a floral character and pronounced notes of elderflower. On the palate it is rich, savoury with a balanced and persistent finish; it can accompany a more robust aperitif based on cured meats, focaccia and savoury pies.

With the Pinot Grigio from the I Capolavori collection, aperitif becomes elegant and refined. The rich flavour invites contemplation and pairs with a tasting of cheeses or also with seafood.