On Saturday, July 20, 2013 Contratto and Indigenous Selections will host Contratto’s Cocktail Club: 19th Century Amari meets 21st Century Mixology at Tales of the Cocktail, the world’s premier cocktail festival in New Orleans. The event will be held from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Hotel Monteleone and will feature Contratto’s recently released Vermouth Bianco, Vermouth Rosso, Americano Rosso, and Fernet.
The event will feature specially crafted cocktails by master mixologist Adam Shuman of Michael Skurnik Wines in New York paired with lite bites. Additionally, Giorgio Rivetti, winemaker and proprietor of La Spinetta, Contratto and Indigenous Selections, will be in attendance to talk about Contratto, its history, and the 150-year-old recipe that makes the Vermouths, Americano, and Fernet so special.
Contratto’s Cocktail Club will feature specially crafted cocktails including the Bam Bouy featuring Contratto Vermouth Bianco, Lustau Amantillado, Merlet Peach Liqueur, Angostura bitters, and an orange twist; the Roma mixed with Contratto Vermouth Rosso, La Spinetta Moscato d’Asti, and Strawberry; and Roots of Rebellion withPerry’s Tot Navy Gin, Contratto Americano Rosso, Grande Classico, and a lemon twist. Lite appetizers will be served and have been carefully paired with each Contratto cocktail. Small bites include gulf oysters on the half shell, Cajun style trail mix, and artisanal salumi. Giorgio Rivetti will be on site to talk about the history and production of these 150 year old amari that are experiencing a revival in a generation of master mixologists and classic cocktail lovers.
Contratto, which is historically Italy’s oldest classic method sparkling wine house, reintroduced the Vermouth Bianco, Vermouth Rosso, Americano Rosso, and Fernet in October 2012 after 40 years of absence from the market. With the rebirth of classic cocktails, Giorgio Rivetti wanted to bring back these once very popular libations. Today’s Contratto Vermouth Bianco, Vermouth Rosso, Americano Rosso, and Fernet are made from the same 150 year old recipes using over 50 organic, locally sourced herbs and spices. Together with the Contratto sparkling wines Contratto Vermouth & Co. links the winery’s 150-year-old history to today’s modern cocktail culture.
