Puttin’ on the Spritz

This authentic interpretation of the classic spritz, Almare is made using naturally fermented wine, flavors and botanicals sourced only from Italy and presented

in a ready-to-drink format.

By Gina Trippi

Truth be told, many who claim to be wine connoisseurs hold the wine spritzer in low regard equating it with college kids on summer break, pool parties, and convenience store shoppers, in essence, amateurs opting for quantity over quality. But, in fact, the wine spritzer has a centuries long legacy in cocktail history.

While there are several stories as to the origin of the spritzer, the most accepted version traces the beginning to Hungary. Legend has it that one night in 1842, a Hungarian author invited some friends over to see his new wine cellar.

One of the guests brought a bottle of soda water which was newly invented and all the rage at the time. The pair mixed the wine and the soda and, voila, the spritzer was created!

And now the spritzer is back everywhere from rooftops to garden parties, even on the Shark Tank! The new versions are more sophisticated but still light, refreshing and comparatively low in alcohol.

At Metro Wines, we have found a great Italian Spritzer, Almare Spritz, just in time for summer.

The Italian Spritz originated in the Veneto and dates back to the late 1800s when northern Italy was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Germanic soldiers found the Italian wines strong and harsh.

So, they added a “spritz,” German for splash, of water to the wine making it lighter and easier to drink.

While lighter sparkling wines and Prosecco became popular, securing a place on cocktail menus in the early 1900s, the Spritz as we know it today did not become popular until the mid-21st century.

For more than 70 years and three generations the Maschio family has been producing Prosecco from their estate vineyards in the Veneto. Building upon a love for the seaside and the Italian Spritz tradition, the family created Almare Spritz in 2020.

This authentic interpretation of the classic spritz, Almare is made using naturally fermented wine, flavors and botanicals sourced only from Italy and presented in a ready to drink format.

Almare Spritz is made from Glera grapes, the grapes used for Prosecco, blended with bitter orange, rhubarb and herbs.

Sunset orange color in the glass, Almare Spritz presents citrus and herbal and fruit aromas with fine bubbles on the palate that express the Italian craft of the spritz. Almare Spritz is perfect as a refreshing “aperitivo” served with ice and a slice of orange.

All that said, the next time someone knocks the “spritz”, you can tell them with confidence and history on your side that the wine spritzer has a pedigree that dates back over two centuries and has every right to be counted among the world’s classic cocktails.

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