The world of Italian mixology is entering a new and exciting chapter in which craftsmanship, botanical research, and a contemporary vision blend harmoniously. From the creative encounter between Edward the 9th (soul of the famous Rita Cocktails of Milan, located right in via Angelo Fumagalli), John Ceccarelli (expert trainer and creator of lemon bitters Sorbets) and the distilling mastery of the family Life, two labels destined to leave their mark are born: Fumagalli Aperitif e Zerogalli.
Officially presented in the “Nuvola” space during the sixth edition of the Rome Bar Show, Fumagalli and Zerogalli embody a concrete and refined response to new consumer habits, embracing the global trend of mixing low e no-alcohol without ever compromising on the taste structure.
The genesis of a craft project
The journey that led to the market debut of Fumagalli and Zerogalli lasted over a year. A meticulous gestation that began with a blank sheet of paper and continued through many 96 samples designed and refined by Luca Vita, under the constant sensory guidance of Nono and Ceccarelli.
The underlying objective was twofold:
- Responding to the historical need for service: Edoardo Nono wanted to revive the authentic Padua-style aperitif, characterized by a pronounced, bitter, and evident herbaceous profile, with a clear reference to the great Italian liqueur tradition of the past.
- Complete the mixing offer: Giovanni Ceccarelli aimed to close the circle started with Sorbets, offering bartenders and enthusiasts a versatile working tool, capable of preparing a Spritz that is outside the conventional schemes but reassuring for the public's palate.
The ideal synthesis was achieved by first finding the perfect balance of flavor and, subsequently, extraordinary flexibility in mixing, a fundamental element for passing comparative tests at the bar counter.
Fumagalli Aperitivo: The Personality of the Artfully Herbed (Vol. 11%)
With an alcohol content of 11% vol and a warm and inviting bright orange colour, Fumagalli Aperitif, affectionately nicknamed “the smart aperitif”, conquers from the first visual and olfactory impact.
On the nose and on the palate a rich and complex citrus note explodes, in which the green mandarin, The chinotto, The bergamot and the classic bitter orange. The taste texture rests on a characterful botanical bouquet, firmly supported by rhubarb root and gentian.
The sensory experience develops in a perfect parable: an initial pleasant sweetness blends into a structured and intense heart, to then give way to a fresh and herbaceous finish dominated by gentian, dried elderberry and a light touch of juniper.
How to serve it
Aperitivo Fumagalli gives its best in the classic Fumagalli Spritz, but demonstrates an enviable flexibility in twists on classic and contemporary mixing, such as the Fumagalli Sour (served on the rocks), or within neoclassical authors such as the Paper Plane and the Naked and Famous.
Zerogalli Aperitivo: Winning the no-alcohol challenge with dealcoholized wine
Too often, non-alcoholic alternatives disappoint because they are flat or excessively sweet. Zerogalli (“the non-alcoholic Spritz”) completely overturns this prejudice, faithfully replicating the botanical profile of its older brother.
The secret of its structure lies in an intelligent strategic choice: the presence of dealcoholized wine in the recipe. This ingredient gives the product a pronounced acidity and a pleasant natural freshness that stimulates drinking and eliminates any cloying sensations. Full-bodied, enveloping, and concentrated, Zerogalli concludes with a rich, bitterish finish.
From an operational and consumption point of view, Zerogalli offers unique advantages:
- Perfect Non-Alcoholic Spritz: just dilute it with simple seltzer or sparkling water, respecting the tradition of the ritual service.
- Ingredient versatility: Excellent paired with a tonic or used as an alcohol-free botanical bittering ingredient.
- Guaranteed shelf life: 90 days of stability after opening (kept in the refrigerator) and a full two years of validity in a sealed bottle at room temperature.
Author's designs and formats for every need
The graphic design of Fumagalli and Zerogalli bears the signature of the Milanese studio Destination Mercury. The label offers a sober yet impactful aesthetic, capable of combining reassuring details vintage and retro with a compact, elegant and incisive modernity.
The two aperitifs are designed to meet both the needs of home consumption and the high-tempo needs of cocktail bars:
- Fumagalli Aperitif: available in the classic format 1 liter and in the very practical and ecological 3-liter Bag in Box.
- Zerogalli Aperitif: available in the bottle 0.70 liters.
With Fumagalli and Zerogalli, the Italian aperitivo culture rediscovers its deepest roots while looking to the future. A virtuous liquid adventure that demonstrates how excellence always comes from the combination of passion, technique, and respect for the raw material.
Photo credit: Destination Mercury
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