It was cold today in Seattle. Sunny, but real cold. I got this idea this morning - why not take the Fargo out for a ride? Well... let me look at my list of things to do today. Hmmm, pull up the kitchen floor, clean out the Jeep, put my laundry away, get vermouth, clean the garage. None of that sounds too fun I thought. Wait! I need to get some vermouth. Like a lightnin' bolt straight from Thor's Hammer - it came to me. Hop on the bike and go get that vermouth!
Why was vermouth the motivation to ride today? Sometimes, yes I admit, you gotta dig deep for that spark that will get you on your bike. I have not done much on any bike for about two months. Last significant ride was when I was in Sedona mountain biking. But let's get back to vermouth. I have taken a hankering to Manhattans recently. And part of this new "hobby" for me is enjoying a great bourbon mixed in the perfect cocktail. This has been my sort of "Manhattan Project" lately.
I've spent a fair amount of time finding and enjoying good bourbon. Here is Washington state, there are micro distilleries popping up that are making GREAT local bourbons and whiskeys. One I really like is the Woodinville Whiskey Company. But- why do I take my prized bourbon and mix it with standard fair vermouth? I dunno. Just because I've always done it that way? Nobody told me any different? Because I like to say "Martini and Rossi on the rocks?" Remember that jingle?
Ok, so, time to up the ante on my drink's congeners. Queue the internet.
Vermouth, as it turns out is quite a wine. What!? It's wine? Well, technically it is a fortified aromatized wine. The fortification comes from... extra alcohol. Brilliant! The aromatization comes from various roots, barks, flowers, seeds, herbs and spices. Hey Guiseppe, we need more bark! Apparently... Italian distiller Antonio Benedetto Carpono is widely credited with creating the first vermouth in 1786, when he blended white wine with herbs and named his new creation after a similar drink in Germany, which was infused with wormwood, for which the German word is “wermut.” The drink was a huge success, and soon began to be exported all over Europe where other countries began to make their own versions.
Ok, so I know what it is and when it started. But, what is a good one? Well, this guy Carpano must make an OK one - since he came up with the drink. But where does one get good vermouth? I thought I must be able to order it on-line. Click... Amazon.com
Yes, you can get Carpano from Amazon.com. But, there is some fine print on the Amazon site that says something about legal limitations of shipping alcohol to certain states. And you know what? I really would like to get some vermouth soon. See, we are having a party next weekend and each and every one of our comrades at the party will want a manhattan - I'm sure! Oh wait... maybe they would want Vodka since they are comrades? Anyway, I need some Vermouth soon. Stat!
Well... if it's wine... perhaps some of Seattle's finer wine purveyors may carry it? I make a few calls. Hit Google maps and head out.
The burro needed about 40 PSI in each tire. I bundle up and pedal south. I'm on my way to McCarthy & Schiering - they have Carpano.
So, I walk in. My cleats clicking on the wood floors and proclaiming I'm not from these parts. There is some wine tasting going on and some heavy accents and there was seemingly 1000s of bottles of wine on display. I better ask somebody where the hell is this Carpano stuff. Out it comes. Hmmm, man, that is a nice bottle. Fancy. Comes in an outer tin. Seems legit. Turn bottle over - $42. That seems high - but what do I know? Well, I rode all this way - it would seem silly not to bring some sort of reward home. I stick the tin in my Fargo frame bag and it fits! How cool is that?
I head north. The sun is going down... and the moon is coming up... and long ago somebody left with the cup. Wait, that is a song from Cake's album Fashion Nugget! How did that get in here? The cold must be getting to me.
A few miles north, I bonk. This has not happened to me in some time. There is nothing worse. I whip into a Starbucks and grab a bite.
By the time I pull into my driveway, I am quite cold and tired. But, I got that durn vermouth and I got some exercise to boot.
So what did I get for vermouth?
Carpano Antica Formula
It's getting late here in the blogosphere and I have not yet tried the stuff. I understand it it truly an aperitif and can stand on it's own. I dunno. I'm not an aperitif guy I think. But, yes, this stuff will be going in my manhattans. Supposedly, it has hints of vanilla spices, tobacco, dried fruit and orange rind. even though it seems like it is, this is not a blog about booze, but cycling - so I'll close out pivoting back to the ride.
I paid a little trick on myself today. I needed to ride, but somehow I managed to make it fun. Maybe you can do the same. Heck, if your thing is pork and beans and you got this crazy craving - why not hit the bike and and have some fun trotting down to the store for yer Van Camps!
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