Amoro de Vino Apero Iberico, 750mL

This all-natural, artisanal Aperol from the Basque region of Spain is better than the brand itself, or any other Aperol-inspired spirit we've tasted so far...save the $6 and see for yourself! The liquid is a blood orange color, with a bright orange glow when mixed. The nose is complex with bright bitter citrus, grapefruit, rhubarb, dark cherry, with hints of vanilla, sage, and bitter melon. The mouth feel is both bittersweet and acidic, with a mix of both orange and grapefruit, notes of herbs, spice, bark, vanilla, and a finish that is unlike its contemporaries, making it versatile enough for cocktails and spritzes, but also balanced, natural, and refined enough to drink neat. The underlying wine is an all natural 100% Viura based wine, from very old pre-phylloxera vines grown in high-elevation vineyards from the Basque portion of Rioja, Spain (Rioja Alavesa). We construct the product similarly to vermouth, using a mix of bitter herbs and botanicals, macerated in the base wine. These bitter and herbal botanicals include gentian root, chinchona bark, beet root, a blend of bitter citrus peels, elderberry, rhubarb, and notes of saffron.