What type of base is typically used for vermouth?

Vermouth is primarily made using a wine base. The production of vermouth begins with the use of a base wine to which various aromatic herbs, spices, and flavorings are added. This process enhances the wine’s flavor profile and creates the distinctive qualities that define different types of vermouth—such as dry or sweet variants. The addition of botanicals is crucial in giving vermouth its characteristic taste, but it is the wine that serves as the foundation of the product.

While other bases like grains or potatoes are commonly used in the production of spirits, they do not apply to vermouth. Vermouth relies specifically on the complexities of wine instead of a neutral spirit or another type of base to achieve its flavor and quality. This connection to wine is what differentiates vermouth from other fortified spirits that might utilize different bases.