There is no better expression to start a promising Sunday than “let’s make a vermouth.” Everything that surrounds this drink has become a ritual: meeting friends at aperitif time, choosing a charming place and enjoying this fusion of white wine and aromatic plants paired with the best tapas.
Its success is international. In France they drink their “vermout” and in Germany their “wemut”. Its name, in fact, comes from this German word that translates as wormwood, and it is believed that as early as 460 BC. C. the philosopher Hippocrates made this herbaceous wine.
Barcelona is, however, especially linked to this drink that is now more fashionable than ever, especially among the youngest. They want to recover a tradition that, in reality, never left. This is demonstrated by the multitude of century-old wineries in the city that now coexist with contemporary establishments that have also surrendered to this gastronomic classic.
Because if we pay attention to one of the meanings of the RAE, classic is that which is “typical and characteristic”. Vermouth is it, as is the new Honda SH 125. With this iconic vehicle we set out to discover some of the most recognized vermouth shops in Barcelona. Of course, without tasting a drop of alcohol and whoever does so must leave it parked at home. And that commitment to safety is one of the brand’s benchmarks. In fact, historically, the Scoopy is a bestseller due to the quality of the motorcycle, its performance and its reliability.
In the case of the new SH125, they have even gone one step further with safety. The new traction control – it is the only motorcycle in its segment that incorporates it -, together with the large wheel, the new suspension and “full LED” lighting make those who drive it feel completely confident riding it through the streets. from Barcelona.
We start at one of the most coveted terraces in Barcelona, ??Bar Calders. This bright and welcoming space combines three high-quality vermouths – the house, Blanc de Reus and De Falset – with a short but very careful menu. It features traditional dishes, such as cheese boards, with other Mexican dishes, in homage to Pere Calders’ years of exile. Precisely, in the area, the Sant Antoni Market book market is a must-see stop on Sundays.
Just ten minutes away by motorbike – those who have tried the vermouth at the previous stop and must leave it parked remember: there is no need to carry a helmet, a full-face helmet fits perfectly under the seat -, in the Eixample Izquierda, we find the Morro Fi.
This small and charming place of just 20m2 is well known for its tapas of pickled anchovies, anchovies and sardines that pair perfectly with its renowned black vermouth. They themselves defend that Barcelona vermouth is the one that is accompanied with cans and preserves. When we leave, we can take a walk to the nearby Joan Miró Park, which hides a sculpture by the surrealist painter who gives it its name, titled Woman and Bird.
Behind that red door hides the third stop, Quimet
Small in dimensions, but big in liquid and gastronomic proposals, Quimet
Precisely last November, Barcelona City Council selected eleven unique wineries in Barcelona that are also places to enjoy a good artisan vermouth. Among them, three establishments in the Gracia neighborhood stand out, known for maintaining many centuries-old businesses that have been passed down from generation to generation. This is the case of Bodega Marín, Bodega Quimet and Bodega Manolo. Highly recommended places that can be combined with a subsequent visit to Park Güell.
In this list, which is designed to protect the city’s classic bars and vermouth shops, we also find the Sopena Winery and the J.Cala Winery, in the Sant Martí neighborhood; the Bodega Vendrell and the Celler Miquel, in Eixample; the Salvat Winery, in Sants-Montjuïc; the Lluís winery, in Sant Andreu; and the Massana Winery, in Horta-Guinardó. Places, all of them, that are capable of transporting us to the past thanks to a combination of tradition, good atmosphere and better product.
If there is one thing about good vermouth, it is that it transcends eras: it can be found both in the newest establishments and in those that have been open for many years. One of the reasons that explains this is that it is a drink that is liked by both young and old, both modern and classic. The same thing happens with the mythical Scoopy, who falls in love with all generations equally. Both represent, after all, a way to enjoy great moments.
