Contratto

Contratto is an Italian aperitif and vermouth producer in Canelli, Piedmont, with recipes dating to the 1890s — one of the most historically significant producers in the Italian vermouth revival, known for using traditional recipes and high-quality Piedmontese wine bases rather than neutral spirit.

Where most modern vermouths use neutral grain spirit as a base, Contratto uses actual wine from Piedmont, then fortifies and aromatizes it with botanicals according to 19th-century recipes. The result is a vermouth with more genuine wine character and greater complexity than most commercial alternatives — particularly the Storico Rosso and Bianco, which have become favorites among bartenders building serious Negroni and Martini programs.

The Contratto Lineup

Contratto Vermouth Bianco — White vermouth from Piedmontese wine base. Delicate and herbal with a balanced sweet-dry profile. The most versatile Martini vermouth in the lineup. Contratto Vermouth Rosso — Red vermouth from Piedmontese wine base. Rich, spiced, and complex — the ideal choice for Negronis, Manhattans, and spirit-forward stirred cocktails. Contratto Americano — A bittersweet aperitif wine infused with citrus and botanicals. Excellent in spritzes, Americano cocktails, or over ice with soda. Contratto Fernet — Bold herbal digestif in the Fernet tradition. Complex bitter-herbal profile for sipping or cocktail use.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Contratto vermouth different?

Contratto uses Piedmontese wine as its base rather than neutral grain spirit — the approach used in 19th-century Italian vermouth production before industrialization replaced it. The wine base adds genuine complexity and a more integrated botanical character. Both the Rosso and Bianco have become go-to choices for bartenders who want vermouth that contributes real flavor to a Negroni or Martini rather than just sweetness and aromatics.

Which Contratto expression is best for a Negroni?

The Contratto Vermouth Rosso — its rich, spiced, and wine-forward character integrates beautifully with gin and Campari, producing a Negroni with more depth and complexity than most commercial sweet vermouths deliver.