As an expert sommelier and brewer, I can tell you that Cocchi Americano and vermouth are both fortified wines, but they have some distinct differences in terms of taste and sweetness.
Cocchi Americano is known for its bracingly bitter flavor profile. It has a pronounced bitterness that can be quite bold and intense on the palate. This bitterness comes from the use of botanicals such as gentian root, cinchona bark, and bitter orange peel. These botanicals give Cocchi Americano its unique and assertive taste, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy bitter flavors.
On the other hand, vermouth is typically sweeter than Cocchi Americano. After fortification, vermouth is sweetened to balance out the bitterness and create a more harmonious flavor profile. This sweetness can come from the addition of sugar or other sweetening agents. Vermouth is known for its rich and complex flavor, with notes of herbs, spices, and sometimes even fruit.
One popular type of vermouth is Lillet, which is often compared to Cocchi Americano. Lillet is a French aperitif wine that is also fortified and sweetened. However, compared to Cocchi Americano, Lillet is more subtle in terms of flavor. It has a smoother and more delicate taste, with a lighter sweetness that is not as pronounced as in other vermouths. Lillet is often described as having floral and citrus notes, which give it a refreshing and elegant character.
The main difference between Cocchi Americano and vermouth lies in their bitterness and sweetness levels. Cocchi Americano is bracingly bitter and bold, while vermouth, including Lillet, is sweetened after fortification to create a more balanced and complex flavor profile. So, if you prefer a bolder, more bitter taste, Cocchi Americano may be the better choice for you. But if you enjoy a sweeter and more subtle aperitif, vermouth, particularly Lillet, would be a great option.