NV Vermouth Herencia, Valdespino, Aperitifs & Spirits

• Style: Bittersweet aperitif
• Taste: Silky palate with spice, citrus brightness, hazelnut and orange peel
• Food: Pre-dinner aperitif, Negroni, Vermouth Cassis
• Occasion: Weeknight; Sunday Lunch
• Serve: Over ice with orange or grapefruit slice, or neat

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Mahogany-deep with coppery glints, this vermouth arrives with silky weight and bittersweet architecture. The palate shows genuine grip and concentration: Moscatel softens edges with citrus brightness, while mugwort, coriander, elderberry, gentian, cinnamon and juniper add spice and savoury snap. Hazelnut and orange peel emerge on the nose, occupying that intelligent middle ground where aperitifs truly shine—neither fruit-forward nor austere, instead rewarding from the first sip.

The Winery — Valdespino

One of Jerez's oldest bodegas, Valdespino traces its roots to 1264 when Alfonso Valdespino received his founding vineyard as reward for defending the city. The Estévez family acquired the bodega in 1999 and today steward 750 hectares across Jerez's distinctive albariza soil—white earth rich in marine fossils that encourages deep rooting and concentration. For this vermouth, they've revived near-lost aperitif recipes first made a century ago, drawing on soleras of Very Old Oloroso aged over twelve years in barrel. The result carries the stamp of place despite its aperitif dressing, built from Palomino and Moscatel grapes and bottled under natural cork.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Pour this vermouth over ice with a slice of orange or grapefruit and watch it transition beautifully from pre-dinner sharpener to evening companion. The acidity and bittersweet tension make it equally at home in a Negroni or Vermouth Cassis, though the real pleasure lies in simply sipping it neat and letting those layered spice notes unfold. Perfect for weeknight entertaining or a leisurely Sunday lunch, it rewards curiosity and conversation. At 15% ABV and suitable for vegetarians and vegans alike, it's a glass that speaks to Valdespino's centuries of craft. Explore the rest of our Andalusia selection to discover how deeply the region's fortified wines reward exploration. Explore more from Jerez & Sherry Region, or browse the rest of our Spain selection.